Staff Reporter
European Union Ambassador in Pakistan H. E. Ms Androulla Kaminara on Monday acknowledged the efforts made by the Punjab government for the protection of Human Rights and welfare of minorities. Ms Androulla Kaminara also assured full support for the protection of human rights and expressed her hope that the PTI government will fulfill its commitments made with the masses. According to details, European Union Ambassador in Pakistan H. E. Ms Androulla Kaminara, along with first secretary Mrs Dilarde, called on Punjab Minister for HR&MA Ijaz Alam Augustine on Monday. During the meeting, the minister and honorable guests discussed issues regarding GSP Plus status, Pak-Europe relations, Kashmir issue, human rights, protection of religious minorities and the role of the treaty implementation cell.
The minister apprised the EU envoy of the measures taken by government for the welfare of minorities including allocation of five per cent quota in government jobs, setting up of minority advisory councils, district committees on human rights, govt jobs in civil administration, police and judiciary through 5 per cent mandatory quota etc. Ijaz Alam said that the govt is fully aware of its international obligations and Ministry for Human Rights & Minorities Affairs has closely monitoring the Acts and legislations relating to the elimination of torture, protection of women rights and elimination of the menace of child abuse.
He said the department has distributed rations to more than 2300 needy families during the outbreak of Covid-19. It also helped more than 2500 needy women from minority communities under Ehsas Cash Program. He appreciated the support of the European Parliament for extension in GSP-Plus status and asked it and other international organisations to play their role in settlement of Kashmir issue according to the UN resolutions.
Later, Ijaz Alam Augustine presented a book “white in the flag” to the EU ambassador.
