The Human Rights Cell of the Pakistan Peoples has deplored the inordinate delay in the setting up Minority Commission as mandated in the 2014 Supreme Court Verdict and called for urgent action.

“At a time when minorities in the country are faced with increasing incidents of intolerance, forced conversions, misuse of religion-based laws and discrimination it is imperative that an independent Commission be set up under an Act of the Parliament in accordance with SC verdict”, said the president of the HR Cell in a statement today.

The Commission must be formed under an Act of Parliament and not an executive order, he said.

Referring to the one-man commission formed by the SC itself over a decade ago under Mr. Shoaib Suddle he said that expertise gained by it should be utilized to provide initial guidance to the new statutory Commission and then fade away. The one-man commission may have been exceptional but structures dependent on individuals are fragile, he said.

In addition to the Commission at the federal level there will also have to be provincial commissions under the 18^th Amendment. Since it involves Pakistan’s international commitments the federal government should take the lead.

The federal legislation may also serve as prototype for provincial Assemblies to consider adopting it and set up their own Minorities Commission just as they have their own commissions on Right to Information, the Status of Women and provincial human rights commissions. For a population of nearly 250 million with significant number of minorities under siege there is clearly need for commissions in all the provinces as well.

The independent Commission should be under the Ministry of Human Rights instead of Ministry of Religious Affairs. “The religious affairs ministry is already over-burdened with Haj matters and it is basically a human rights issue and not a religious issue”.

The federal statutory Commission must be based on Paris Principles to ensure autonomy. At present none of the statutory commissions like the National Commission on Human Rights, National Commission of Sgatus of Women and the National Commission of the Rights of the Child is based on Paris Principles and that was why they have no right to vote at international platforms like the UN Human Rights Council, he said

Farhatullah Babar said that the statutory Commission should have the representatives of minorities instead of bureaucrats dominating it.

Its broad-based functions should include implementation of the 5% job quota, oversight of issues in Evacuee Property Trust, monitoring of implementation of relevant international agreements & court verdict, visit to detention centres where minorities are kept, besides making recommendations for appropriate legislation, he further said. 

Karachi/Islamabad, January 21, 2025: The inauguration of the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Block at Global Hub Girls’ Cadet College Malir was graced today by the First Lady of Pakistan and MNA, Her Excellency Mohtarma Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, as the Chief Guest. This milestone event celebrates a transformative step in empowering young women through education and leadership opportunities in Pakistan.

The ceremony was attended by notable dignitaries, including Commander Sohaib, CEO of Girls’ Cadet College Malir; Abdul Qadir Jaffer, Patron-in-Chief of Jaffer Foundation; Sardar Shah, Sindh’s Minister for Education; and Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho, Sindh’s Minister for Health, who served as Guests of Honour. Numerous distinguished personalities from education, health, and government sectors also participated, showing their commitment to this vital initiative.

The event commenced with a Guard of Honour presented by female cadets from Cadet College Jhang to the Chief Guest. Following this, First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari unveiled the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Block, a dedicated facility symbolizing progress, opportunity, and hope for girls’ education in Pakistan.

Addressing the gathering, Aseefa Bhutto Zardari emphasized the significance of education for young women. “Today, we honor the vision of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, who believed in the transformative power of education for all, especially for women. This block is more than just a building—it is a testament to her dream of a Pakistan where every girl has the tools to shape her future and lead with confidence.”

She further added, “Educated women are the cornerstone of a prosperous society. By investing in their education, we are investing in the future of Pakistan. I am deeply moved to see the dedication of the staff, the enthusiasm of the students, and the unwavering support from all stakeholders who made this vision a reality.”

Speakers at the event highlighted the importance of initiatives like the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Block, which are designed to foster leadership, cultivate skills, and provide quality education for young women. They applauded the role of the Jaffer Foundation and Falcon Education System in realizing this vision.

“The Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Block is not just a building; it is a beacon of hope for generations to come,” the First Lady remarked. “This facility will nurture leaders who will contribute to our nation and beyond. I am proud to be part of this journey towards empowering women through education.”

Sindh Education Minister Sardar Shah assured the full support of the Sindh government, stating, “Education is a fundamental right, and we are committed to supporting such institutions that focus on the betterment of our youth.” Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho extended her ministry’s assistance for the health and well-being of the school’s students and staff.

The inauguration of the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Block marks a significant stride towards gender equality and educational progress in the region. As part of the Global Hub School’s vision, the facility represents an unwavering commitment to equipping young women with the skills, knowledge, and leadership capabilities necessary to build a brighter future for Pakistan and South Asia.

Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that the true strength of nations does not lie in guns or bullets but in their politics and cultural heritage. He stressed that nations that lose touch with their culture are destined to lag behind in progress.

According to a press release issued by the Media Cell Bilawal House, Chairman PPP underscored the historic role of the Sindh Assembly in Pakistan’s creation during a special ceremony held at the Sindh Assembly premises to unveil a commemorative plaque marking the inaugural session of the country’s first Constituent Assembly. He said, “The Pakistan Peoples Party believes that no individual, single power, or specific ideology alone builds a nation. It is through collective effort, hard work, and unity that nations are formed. Politics undoubtedly plays a significant role in this process.” He further added that he is personally committed to playing his part politically to strengthen this role.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari remarked, “I believe that, beyond politics, culture plays an even greater role. Nations that forget or distance themselves from their culture eventually lose their identity.” He emphasized that Pakistan has a long and ancient history, stating, “We can proudly claim that we are heirs to the Indus Civilization.” He further noted that the people of this land laid the foundations for agriculture, irrigation, and modern living thousands of years ago. “Even today, the historical sites in my hometown Larkana stand as a testament to that era,” he added.

Chairman PPP underlined the significant contributions of the people of this region in the creation of Pakistan, saying, “We established this country—look at how we did it. Was a single bullet fired? Did Pakistan come into existence because our military was the most powerful at the time? No, it was the unity of the entire nation, including politicians, that led to the success of a historic struggle.”

Discussing the challenges faced by the country, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari stressed the need for unity and cultural revival to tackle modern-day challenges. “I am convinced that, just like in the past, the people of Pakistan and the inhabitants of this land will prosper. However, if we fight among ourselves and fail to understand that strength lies not in guns or bullets but in culture and politics, we may fall short of fulfilling the aspirations of the younger generation.” 

He also commended the role of electronic media in promoting Pakistani culture, entertainment, and arts, emphasizing the need to further advance these sectors.

Chairman emphasized the need for greater efforts to promote Pakistani culture, entertainment, and the arts. He pointed out that Western nations are not powerful merely because of their armies, weapons, or wealth. “If they are superpowers, it is because they embraced their culture to the extent that even your children listen to their artists’ music and watch their movies and television shows. This is true ‘soft power’—the struggle to win hearts and minds.” 

He lamented that had the vision of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto for cultural promotion been followed, Pakistani films, songs, and art might today enjoy global recognition comparable to that of Western nations.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed strong support for establishing a modern Media University in Karachi and directed the Sindh Chief Minister to expedite the project through public-private partnership. He said that while culture and art in the past revolved around pens and brushes, today, technology like computers, artificial intelligence, and digital space have taken over. “We want to equip our youth with modern facilities so they can represent Pakistan globally,” he added. He envisioned a future where, alongside politicians, cultural representatives from every city and region of Pakistan contribute to the country’s progress.

The event was attended by PPP Women’s Wing President and MPA Faryal Talpur, PPP Sindh President Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Speaker Sindh Assembly Awais Qadir Shah, along with ministers, assembly members, and a large number of media personnel. The ceremony concluded with Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari unveiling a commemorative plaque to mark the historic occasion of the inaugural session of the country’s first Constituent Assembly.

Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has paid glowing tributes to Shaheed Fazil Rahoo on his 38th martyrdom anniversary, remembering him as a beacon of resistance, a champion of peasants’ rights, and a symbol of unyielding commitment to democracy.

According to the press release issued by the Media Cell Bilawal House, Chairman PPP, in his message, lauded Shaheed Fazil Rahoo’s exceptional contributions to the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy (MRD) under the leadership of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. “Shaheed Fazil Rahoo stood tall in the face of oppression and made the ultimate sacrifice for the rights of the downtrodden and the protection of democratic values,” he added.

According to a press release issued by the Media Cell Bilawal House, Chairman PPP extended heartfelt condolences to all the families, including Pakistanis, who lost their loved ones in the incident. “The loss of precious lives in yet another boat tragedy is deeply distressing for me,” he said.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari emphasized that the Pakistani Embassy in Spain and the federal government must ensure the immediate repatriation of the victims’ bodies and provide accurate information to the affected families. He added that this tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for effective measures to combat the heinous crime of human trafficking.

The human rights cell of the PPP is deeply concerned over reports that some unscrupulous elements ensnare unsuspecting innocent citizens in fabricated blasphemy cases for extortion. According to the reports offensive imagery overlaid with religious texts is disseminated through social media platforms by hacking citizens’ mobile devices and other unethical means and then using it as pretext to register false cases in collusion with unscrupulous elements in the law enforcing agencies.

In a statement today the president of the human rights cell ex-senator Farhatullah Babar said that the issue was first reported by the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) in its report documenting its investigation into Blasphemy cases during the year October 2023 to October 2024. It said that young men were entrapped through female operatives behind pseudonyms to lure them in unethical online engagement and then filing cases against them. The report not only pointed out “disregard of due process” but also said that “arrests were often carried out by private individuals rather than law enforcement”  

Last year also a special report by the Additional Inspector General Police, Special Branch Punjab, Lahore, had acknowledged the existence of a suspicious gang trapping youth for, he said.

Farhatullah Babar said even higher officers of the FIA had also acknowledged the existence of such a racket. An office order by the cybercrime wing circulated among all officers acknowledging that some officers had “knitted an unholy net in connivance with professional women to trap innocent citizens” warned of serious action against those involved. It also directed that “no raid will be conducted and no FIR will be registered without prior approval”, he said.

He said that the organized nature of this network was demonstrated recently when a hateful defamatory campaign was launched on social media against Justice Muhammad Iqbal Kalhoro of SHC after the Judge granted post-arrest bail to some accused thus implicated in such false cases.

The Sindh Bar Council passed a Resolution last month denouncing the campaign against the judge and demanded a transparent and impartial investigation into the alleged collusion between FIA officials and criminal networks exploiting youth under false allegations. The resolution said “no one should be above the law, including groups exploiting religious sentiments for personal or financial gain” and called for a “transparent, swift and impartial investigation into false allegations of blasphemy”.

Farhatullah Babar urged all political parties, the parliament, the law enforcing agencies, the religious scholars, the human rights bodies and the bar and the media to take these alarming reports seriously and not sweep them under the rug. Recalling that the Senate Human Rights Committee in March 2018 had also made some recommendations in this regard which were endorsed by the Senate he also called for the implementation of its report.

Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has paid glowing tribute to Makhdoom Muhammad Zaman Talibul Moula on his death anniversary, honoring him as a multifaceted personality who excelled in the realms of spirituality, politics, and literature..

In a statement issued by the Media Cell Bilawal House, Chairman PPP, in his message, said that Makhdoom Talibul Moula was a towering figure who devoted his life to the ideals of justice, democracy, and human dignity. “He was not only a spiritual and political leader but also an exceptional poet whose verses embody his deep reflections on humanity, faith, and the meaning of life,” he added.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari praised Makhdoom Talibul Moula’s steadfast commitment to the principles of the Pakistan Peoples Party, adding that his struggle alongside Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto for democracy’s restoration and strengthening remains unparalleled.

“Today, as we commemorate Makhdoom Talibul Moula’s remarkable contributions and sacrifices, we draw inspiration from his wisdom and his relentless pursuit of democratic ideals. His legacy continues to guide and inspire us to this day,” the Chairman concluded.

Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, met with the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates, Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Al-Zaabi, at Zardari House, Islamabad. During the meeting, they discussed to promote bilateral relations and strengthen Pakistan-UAE ties.

They agreed on the importance of solidifying Pakistan-UAE relations, focusing on mutual interests and cooperation. This meeting highlights the ongoing efforts to enhance diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also held a meeting with the Chairman Senate of Pakistan, Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani, in which they discussed the affairs pertaining to Senate of Pakistan.

The outgoing ambassador of the United States, Donald Blome, called on the Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari at Zardari House Islamabad.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, appreciated Ambassador Blome’s diplomatic services. Chairman during conversation with Ambassador Blome, expressed his desire to further strengthen the relations between the two countries.

Chairman also acknowledged the importance of collaboration between the two nations and emphasized the need for continued cooperation. During the meeting, they discussed ways to promote mutual understanding and forge a stronger partnership between Pakistan and the United States.

Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has paid glowing tribute to Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto on his 97th birth anniversary, honoring him as a visionary leader whose legacy continues to illuminate the path toward a stronger and more equitable Pakistan.

In a statement issued by the Media Cell Bilawal House, Chairman PPP said, “Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was the architect of modern Pakistan, a statesman who dedicated his life to empowering the people and laying the foundations of a progressive and self-reliant nation. His struggle for democracy, human rights, and social justice remains an eternal source of inspiration for all.”

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari emphasized the transformative reforms introduced by Quaid-e-Awam. “He empowered the working class and the marginalized through revolutionary policies in labor rights, land reforms, education, and healthcare. He believed that the strength of a nation lies in its people and worked tirelessly to uplift them,” he said. He praised Shaheed Bhutto’s contributions to Pakistan’s industrial and educational development, including establishing Pakistan Steel Mills, Port Qasim, Heavy Mechanical Complex, Allama Iqbal Open University and scores of other big industrial, commercial and educational establishments across the country.

Chairman PPP pointed out that Pakistan’s first elected government granted every citizen the right to hold passports, enabling millions to work abroad, especially in Gulf countries. This initiative uplifted countless families and bolstered the economy, with 35,000 workers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa alone finding opportunities in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.”

He lauded Shaheed Bhutto’s role in ensuring Pakistan’s sovereignty and security. “His nuclear policy guaranteed strategic independence, while the dignified release of 90,000 prisoners of war after 1971 showcased his remarkable statesmanship. The Constitution of 1973, a hallmark of his vision, laid the democratic foundation of our country and remains a beacon of unity and justice,” he added.

On foreign policy, he noted, “The 1974 Islamic Summit united Muslim countries and elevated Pakistan’s global influence. Shaheed Bhutto’s advocacy for the oppressed and commitment to justice earned him respect worldwide.”

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari reaffirmed the PPP’s unwavering commitment to Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s ideals. “As we honor his birth anniversary, we pledge to carry forward his mission of building a Pakistan defined by equality, dignity, and progress for all its citizens. His vision is our guiding light as we strive to fulfill his dream of a prosperous and inclusive nation,” he concluded.