SHC dismisses petition against appointment of Pak representative to UN
National
January 13, 2021
KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition against appointment of permanent representative of Pakistan to the United Nations Munir Akram observing that the issues raised in the petition are related to matters of foreign policy, diplomatic missions and security of the country, which are neither justiciable nor they fall within the judicial domain for interference.
Petitioner Anis Haroon and other women rights activists opposed the appointment of permanent representative of Pakistan to the US by the government submitting that criteria in respect of employment of retired diplomat provided under Section 14 of the Civil Servants Act has not been complied with. The court was requested to declare the appointment of Munir Akram as unlawful and restrain him from performing functions of the country’s representative at the UN.
The ordinance, announced by the office of President Arif Alvi, also orders the creation of crisis centres to process rape kits within six hours of an attack, and special courts that will be required to try cases within four months.
Prime Minister Imran Khan had promised to speed up justice for rape survivors in response to a series of assaults that have spurred demands that the government impose the death penalty in rape cases.
Khan and his Cabinet approved the legislation last month, and Alvi signed it into law Tuesday. It must be approved by Parliament within four months to remain in effect.
‘Covid recovery must protect rights’
Civil activists, govt officials mark International Human Rights Day
Coronavirus patient. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
As the world scrambles to recover from the coronavirus, recovery efforts must be designed and implemented such that human rights are protected, said activists at a press conference held to mark International Human Rights Day, celebrated globally on December 10 every year.
Separately, the Sindh Human Rights Department held a panel discussion on Thursday in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme and the European Union.
Calling for human rights protection and highlighting areas of concern, activists at the press conference pointed to the theme for December 10 this year, ‘Recover Better - Stand Up for Human Rights.’