Press release

HRCP denied permission to hold demonstration for Cholistanis’ land rights

Lahore, 11 September 2023. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has been denied permission by the local civil administration in Bahawalpur to hold a peaceful demonstration and press conference to express its concerns over the allotment of land to nonresidents in Cholistan—one of the principal grievances conveyed to HRCP during a fact-finding mission to the area in 2022 and a subsequent human rights camp held there in February 2023.

Not only does this decision violate local Cholistanis’ right to freedom of peaceful assembly, but it also seeks to undermine people’s demand that land in this area be allotted only to native Cholistanis in accordance with the law. HRCP has continued to receive reports from residents of Cholistan that their applications for allotment of the land they have been settled on for centuries remain pending since 2018.

Despite the fact that its planned demonstration and press conference have now been postponed, HRCP wishes to make it clear that it will not be deterred and will continue to stand with the residents of Cholistan and make every effort to ensure that their legitimate grievances are heard and resolved.

Hina Jilani
Chairperson