Rehman Malik-led Senate committee pays tribute to Edhi

Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on Interior with its Chair Senator A. Rehman Malik, paid a rich tribute to late Abdul Sattar Edhi (Nishan-e-Imtiaz) and Shaheed Burhan Wani on their death anniversary falling today on Monday 8th July, 2019.

The meeting was commenced with a rich tribute to Shaheed Burhan Wani and other Martyrs of Kashmir and offered Fateha for their souls. Senator A. Rehman Malik said that the sacrifices of Shaheed Burhan Wani and other Martyrs of Kashmir are a testimony of their resolve towards the cause of Kashmir. He said that Kashmiris have the legitimate right of self-determination duly endorsed by United Nations through its Resolution. He added that the great sacrifices of Young freedom movement leader Burhan Wani and generations against Indian atrocities will not go in vein. The Committee showed its solidarity with the victim families of Bosnia whose loved ones were killed in Srebrenica Massacre that had taken place in the month of July, 1995.

Senator A. Rehman Malik said that we remember Abdul Sattar Edhi on his 3rd death Anniversary today for his matchless services to the humanity, particularly to the helpless people of Pakistan. He said that Abdul Sattar Edhi was pride of Pakistan and a beacon of light for all social workers who served the humanity without discrimination, irrespective religion, language and sect.

The Committee was briefed by the I.G. Police, Islamabad, on the murder of minor girl Farishta in Islamabad. The Chairman Committee informed the Committee that he had taken the Suo-Moto Notice immediately after the said incident was reported in the media and had directed the Secretary Interior and IG Police, Islamabad to submit a detailed report on fourteen questions which were asked by the Committee. He added that the Islamabad Police has submitted its report to the Committee that they have arrested the main suspect in the abduction and murder case of 10-year-old girl Frishta. The I.G. Police, Islamabad, briefed the Committee that the Islamabad police had picked the suspect for allegedly abducting Farishta and killing her. He informed that it was a blind case which had no clue to trace and identify the culprit, however, the efficient Police Officers successfully identified the culprit and arrested him who is under trial. He also informed the Committee that the Culprit is a habitual criminal, had already booked in two similar cases earlier, but unfortunately, he managed to escape the trial through compromise under the cover of law. Senator A. Rehman Malik directed the Ministry of Interior to move the necessary amendments in the relevant section of law, to remove the loopholes under which the culprit takes advantage of Comprise in crimes related to child abuse and murder. He said that crimes against children should not be tolerated and this Committee will be pursuing such cases to its logical conclusion. He highly appreciated the Team of Islamabad Police for identification and arrest of the culprits in Farishta murder case. He appreciated the Investigation Officer of the case and asked the Ministry of Interior to announce award for each member of the Police Team who investigated the case. He also directed I.G. Police, Islamabad, that the concerned Investigating ASI be promoted to the next rank as award. He directed that those Police Officials who were responsible for not registering the case on time, should be investigated and dealt in accordance with the law. Senator A. Rehman Malik accepted the request of I.G. Islamabad Police that an in-camera briefing will be given by the Islamabad Police in the next meeting of the Committee.

The Committee considered “The Islamabad Community Integration Bill, 2019”, introduced by Senator Rana Maqbool Ahmad, which was referred to the Committee on 29th April, 2019 by the Senate House. After a threadbare discussion, the Bill was unanimously passed by the Committee. Senator A. Rehman Malik, highly appreciated Senator Rana Maqbool Ahmed for bringing such a valuable Legislation and said that this Bill is the need of the hour. Senator A. Rehman Malik said that the essence of the Bill to integrate the community is highly appreciable so that the people living in the same vicinity will stand together at all times. The Chairman Committee observed that the Bill introduced by Senator Rana Maqbool would devise a strategy for a positive social change by introducing a small community units like Mohallah Committees for one locality with a co-operation based mechanism.

The Committee also considered “The Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2019 (Substitution of Section 489F of PPC and amendment of Schedule-II of Cr. PC)”, introduced by Senator Mian Muhammad Ateeq Shaikh and referred to the Committee on 6th May, 2019, by the Senate House. Senator A. Rehman Malik appreciated the Mover of the Bill, Senator Ateeq Shaikh. He said that the Bill will

The Committee also considered the Point of Public Importance regarding theft of Mobile Phones from Faisalabad Dry Port Faisalabad, raised by Senator Mian Muhammad Ateeq Shaikh in the House on 18th September,2018, and referred to the Committee by the Senate House. The Chairman Committee, Senator A. Rehman Malik, said that he had directed in the previous meeting of the Committee that an internal inquiry should be conducted and responsibility has been fixed, since, the culprits have been arrested and report has been submitted, the matter was disposed of.