I S L A M A B A D : Expressing grief over loss of lives and destruction of properties caused by the massive flooding across the country, a parliamentary committee on Friday took up various human rights issues, including matters related to ease of access to public buildings for differently abled persons.

The meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Human Rights, headed by Mehreen Razak Bhutto, began with prayers for the citizens who lost their lives in the floods.

After briefing the committee, officials from the human rights ministry came under criticism for failing to ensure rights of citizens. Whether it was rights for the differentlyabled individuals or the matter of enforced disappearances, members of the committee felt that the ministry could do more.

As the senior officials from the ministry responded that its job was not enforcement, Minister for Human Rights Riaz Pirzada elaborated that his office didnot have the powers to twist anyone`s arm.

Mr Pirzadasaid that his officelooked to other ministries and the police for enforcement of law.

`If your job is not enforcement, then how will bills be implemented?` said MNA Shaista Parvez, while she complained that little had been done for the differently abled persons.

`May I be told whether the Ministry of Human Rights has ever played any role?` said MNA Naveed Jeeva, adding: `There arehuman rights violations in the country till today.Then they say that the international community is conspiring against Pakistan.

Minister Pirzada said many departments had beenweakened. Many senior officers when summoned did not respond, he said, adding his office was like a paper ship.

Qadir Mandukhel said that human rights issues were not limited only in Islamabad. `What are you doing in other provinces?` he said.

The committee decided that wherever human rights violations took place, the members should take show cause notice. `It is our job to act on the violation of human rights, said another member.

The fact that enforcement of human rights was an ongoing problem in the world, members suggested to follow European nationswhere the practice of human rights was much better, and not the US.

A resolution expressing solidarity and full cooperation with the flood victims was also passed.

The committee appreciated the international community and private institutions for full cooperation in a difficult time.

Pakistan is currently facing serious threats from climate change, said the resolution the resolution.

Coping with climate change is a shared problem of the international community.

The resolution also said developed countries should take steps to deal with and recover from such disasters.

`In these situations, basic human rights such as food, health, education, housing and women`s rights are being affected, the resolution said.