Islamabad: The Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights, chaired by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, highlighted the persistently low conviction rates in gender-based violence (GBV) cases and raised concerns over the safety of Pakistanis imprisoned abroad.

During the session, Senator Sherry Rehman noted that despite two decades of legislation against GBV, only five percent of reported cases lead to convictions, with domestic violence convictions at a mere 1.3 percent. She stressed that 70 percent of GBV incidents remain unreported, citing provincial data showing near-zero convictions for honour killings, rape, and abduction across multiple regions.

Senator Zehri expressed concern over systemic barriers for victims, including inadequate police representation (1-1.5% women), flawed medico-legal procedures, mishandled DNA evidence, and delayed investigations and challans. She urged that all stakeholders - police, prosecution, and medical authorities - convene to address these systemic failures and recommended inviting the Advocate General to the next meeting.

The Committee also reviewed the conditions of day-care centres, noting many lacked basic facilities such as attached bathrooms, and stressed the need for proper care for children.

Officials briefed the Committee on the plight of Pakistanis imprisoned abroad, highlighting the risks posed by trafficking networks using fraudulent visa schemes. Senator Zehri emphasized preventive measures, public awareness campaigns, and coordination with authorities such as the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) to protect citizens from life-threatening situations abroad.

The Committee called for a coordinated national strategy, stricter checks on fake documents and visas, and a unified monitoring system to curb traffickers. Representatives from all four provinces and the ICT will be invited to the next meeting, with relevant reports shared in advance.

In attendance were Senators Qurat ul Ain Marri, Hafiz Abdul Karim, Poonjo Bheel, Syed Masroor Ahsan, Atta ul Haq, Sherry Rehman, Chairperson NCHR, and senior officials.