Pak approved HR bill to restrict intel agencies from detaining citizens illegally

Islamabad, Mar 9 (ANI): The Pakistan Senate has unanimously approved the Human Rights Bill 2012, restricting intelligence agencies from illegally detaining any citizen of the country.

The bill, which was passed during a meeting of the upper house chaired by Farooq H Naek, will pave the way for the formation of the Human Rights Commission, The Express Tribune reports.

According to the bill, no intelligence agency will be able to detain any citizen illegally. It will also empower the commission to survey any jail or secrets prisons to check for illegal confinements.

It also states that the armed forces and intelligence agencies will be answerable to the commission and parliament. Besides, it would also restrict foreign funding for NGOs without approval.

During the course of proceedings, the House also unanimously passed a resolution condemning terrorist attacks on the public rallies in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

The resolution was moved by ANP Senator Haji Muhammad Adeel. (ANI)