A meeting of the Standing Committee on Human Rights was held on 30th December 2025 at 11:00 a.m. in the Committee Room of the Ministry of Human Rights, Kohsar Block, Pak Secretariat, Islamabad, with Ms. Syeda Nousheen Iftikhar presiding.
The committee unanimously recommended that the Islamabad Capital Territory Senior Citizens (Amendment) Bill, 2025 be passed as introduced in the National Assembly, underlining the importance of timely legislative measures to protect older citizens and strengthen services for seniors across the capital.
Members expressed strong appreciation for recent government steps taken to protect minorities and stressed the urgent need to extend equal rights and protections to minorities living in squatted settlements, noting that legal recognition and support would contribute to broader social and economic stability. The committee directed the Ministry of Human Rights to expedite the process of establishing a National Commission for Minorities’ Rights and to keep the committee fully informed and involved during its formation.
Delegates also voiced grave concern about the rising frequency of drug use and the growing misuse of social media, criticizing gaps in enforcement and prevention efforts. The committee decided to invite representatives from the Ministry of Interior and the Narcotics Control Division to the next meeting to develop coordinated responses and oversight measures addressing these challenges.
The meeting was attended by MNAs Syeda Nousheen Iftikhar, Zahra Wadood Fatemi, Asiya Naz Tanoli, Tamkeen Akhtar Niazi, Sehar Kamran, Shahida Rehmani, Naz Baloch, Naveed Aamir and Sabheen Ghoury, along with senior officials from the Ministries of Human Rights and Law and Justice.
