Erstwhile FATA elections a milestone Lahore, 22 July. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed its overall satisfaction with the provincial elections conducted in the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). That these elections were held as planned – despite the brief delay – is a milestone for the people of western

Allegations of Rana Sanaullah being ill-treated in jail Lahore, 16 July. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) is deeply concerned over the grave allegations it has received regarding senior PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah’s treatment in detention. HRCP was approached by his wife, Nabila Sanaullah, who claims that her husband, a diabetes and blood

Threats to Gulalai Ismail’s family must stop  Lahore, 5 July. HRCP is seriously concerned over reports that activist Gulalai Ismail’s family has been threatened, allegedly by state agencies, in connection with her work as a human rights defender. HRCP urges the state to investigate the recent raid on Ms Ismail’s house in Islamabad, reportedly

HRCP censures higher education budget cuts Lahore, June 26. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) is concerned that the government’s bid to reduce budgetary expenditure on higher education through the Higher Education Commission (HEC) will affect both existing and prospective students, especially those from poorer vulnerable or marginalised groups. The state has a

HRCP mission to KP Friday, 21 June. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) will commence a fact-finding mission from Saturday 22 June 2019, to study the pace and impact of the merger of the former Federally Administered Tribal Agencies (FATA) with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The mission team will, in particular, aim to observe and

The long wait for justice: Jillani judgement conference Islamabad, 19 June. Observing the fifth anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court judgement on the protection of religious minorities’ rights, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) held a conference with other civil society organisations to reiterate the importance of implementing the judgement. The conference, which

HRCP secures release of bonded workers Lahore/Multan, 14 June. Sixty-three bonded labourers have been recovered from a brick kiln in Basti Pir Ismail near Multan, following a writ petition filed by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP). In May, HRCP received a complaint from Saghar Hussain, a resident of Basti Pir Ismail, saying

HRCP questions Justice Isa reference Lahore, 11 June 2019. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) is deeply concerned about the timing of, and apparent intention behind, the presidential reference with the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) against the Honourable Justice Qazi Faez Isa under Article 209 of the Constitution. HRCP believes that the government

Produce missing persons before Eid Lahore, 4 June 2019. On the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has said: ‘We must not forget the plight of the families of missing persons. While acknowledging that the release of Mr Khadim Hussain Arijo and Mr Hidayat Lohar in Sindh is a step in the

Progress needed urgently on Tassaduq Jilani judgement Lahore, 3 June 2019. Human rights activists gathered on the fifth anniversary of the Supreme Court’s 2014 landmark judgement on the rights of religious minorities, at the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) here today. Members of civil society – including representatives of the Centre for Social