NA to adopt Draft Law on torture in three months: Pillay

Islamabad—United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay on Thursday said that Pakistan had assured her that a draft national law on torture was close to completion and would be adopted by the National Assembly within three months.Addressing a press conference here, Navi Pillay said that it was a very welcome development. It is essential that a clear definition of torture and the fact that it is a crime under any circumstances, must be enshrined in laws if the practice is to be eradicated, she added.Navi Pillay, who is on a four-day visit to Pakistan, said during her stay, she met Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, his advisors on Human Rights and National Harmony, and Minister for Foreign Affairs.She also held talks with the Chief Justice of Supreme Court, the Chief Justice of Lahore High Court and the Supreme Court Bar Association officials.

She met with the Senior Advisor to Punjab Chief Minister in Lahore to discuss issues relating to the devolution of powers to the provinces. The UN High Commissioner said during her talks, she stressed the importance of translating the treaties into national laws. —NNI