NCHR to focus on countering regressive trends: Minister

ISLAMABAD, Mar 14 (APP):Federal Minister for Human Rights, Mumtaz Ahmed Tarar on Wednesday said National Commission for Human Rights
(NCHR) must focus its research and advocacy efforts to counter the regressive trends of bigotry, hate speech and intolerance in the country.
“Religious extremism and intolerance must be combatted and thwarted in unison by the state, civil society and the masses”, he commented.
While addressing the officers and staff of NCHR at its head office, the minister vowed that for the cause of protection of human rights, the financial and administrative independence and autonomy of NCHR will be supported, said a news release.
Chairman NCHR Justice (R) Ali Nawaz Chowhan thanked the minister for steadfast support to NCHR to fulfill its statutory mandate of promotion and protection of human rights.
He said NCHR will compile a comprehensive report on rebutting the false narrative of obscurantism and the promotion of fundamental constitutional rights and universal human values.
On the occasion, Justice Chowhan presented the 2017’s Annual Report and 24 research reports of NCHR on various human rights issues to the federal minister.
Mumtaz Tarar reiterated his disapproval for the superficial analysis of human rights issues, manufactured by pseudo-intellectuals and stressed the significance of genuine research at the grass-root level, particularly in impoverished rural areas of Pakistan.
The Minister was particularly keen about the advocacy and sensitization program for rural women, one of the most neglected and vulnerable segments of our society.
He also encouraged NCHR to organize and publish credible research on the socioeconomic problems of rural women.