Right Angle – Written by Nadeem Ahmed Advocate – Human Rights Defenders or Formal Institutions? — The Reality of Governmental Human Rights Institutions in Pakistan
The Constitution of Pakistan promises to provide equal rights and protection to every citizen. But the question is, when these rights are violated — where should citizens seeking justice go? For this purpose, Governmental Human Rights Institutions have been established at the federal and provincial levels, whose main function is to support the oppressed and ensure the restoration of human dignity.
Federal Level — Ministry of Human Rights
The “Ministry of Human Rights” located in Islamabad is the central responsibility for the protection of human rights throughout the country. This ministry provides legal assistance, financial assistance, and a grievance redressal system to the oppressed.
Contact Method:
Affected individuals can file a complaint online at the *Human Rights Complaint Cell* or the ministry’s website.
For more direct contact, you can call (051-9216620).
Criteria for Assistance:
The case of the affected person is related to human rights violation. After verification, the case is sent to the “Relief Fund”. Financial assistance can range from PKR 50,000 to Rs. 500,000 (Depending On The Nature).
Federal Budget:
In the year 2024-25, approximately PKR 1.3 billion has been allocated for the Ministry of Human Rights, of which a major portion is reserved for the Human Rights Relief Fund.
Punjab — Punjab Human Rights Commission (PHRC)
The Punjab Human Rights Commission was established in 2012, with the aim of monitoring human rights in the province and providing immediate assistance to the affected persons.
Contact Method:
Application can be made in person at the Lahore office or a complaint can be filed through the website.
Phone number: 042-99211035.
Type of assistance: Legal assistance and Psychological Counseling are provided to the victim. Financial assistance ranging from PKR 25,000 to Rs. 300,000 is provided in serious cases.
Budget: The annual budget is PKR 650 Million, but lack of implementation and slow bureaucracy often make the system ineffective.
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Sindh — Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC)
The Sindh Human Rights Commission was established in 2013 under the Sindh Human Rights Act. It monitors human rights, investigates, and provides legal protection to the victims in all districts of the province.
Contact method:
The central office is located in Karachi, while regional offices are also established in Hyderabad, Larkana, and Sukkur. The complaint can be made through a written request, email, or online form.
Phone number: 021-99201277
Assistance and criteria: The commission registers cases according to the nature of the human rights violation. The victim is provided with legal assistance and in some cases financial assistance ranging from PKR 20,000 to PKR 250,000.
Urgent action is given priority in cases involving women, minorities, and children.
Budget:
In the financial year 2024-25, the Sindh government has allocated PKR 720 million, of which 30 percent is reserved for redressal of public grievances.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa — Human Rights Directorate
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Human Rights Directorate is based in Peshawar.
This institution primarily focuses on cases involving women, children, minorities, and laborers.
Contact Method: Citizens can submit a complaint through the District Complaint Committees or through an online form.
Phone Number: (091-9210297).
Assistance:
Victims are provided with assistance ranging from PKR 20,000 to Rs. 200,000.
Serious cases are also referred to the federal ministry.
Budget: Around PKR 400 million has been allocated in the year 2024-25.
Balochistan: Directorate of Human Rights
The Balochistan government has formed the Directorate of Human Rights in recent years to promote human rights. This institution prepares reports on human rights violations in collaboration with local organizations working in remote areas of the province.
Contact Method: A written application can be made to the Quetta and Khuzdar offices or the case can be referred through the concerned Deputy Commissioner.
Assistance: Financial assistance to the victim ranging from PKR 15,000 to 150,000 rupees. Legal assistance and assistance in police inquiry are also provided.
Budget: The Balochistan government has allocated approximately PKR 300 million for the current financial year.
Gilgit-Baltistan — Human Rights Cell
A Human Rights Cell is functioning in Gilgit-Baltistan under the federal ministry.
This institution focuses especially on the issues of women, religious minorities, and the homeless.
Contact Method: A complaint can be filed through the GB Secretariat in writing or via email.
Assistance: Financial assistance ranging from PKR 10,000 to Rs. 100,000.
Further legal assistance is provided to the victims at the federal level.
Budget: PKR 120 million has been allocated by the federal government.
All these institutions are apparently guarantors of justice, but on a practical level, the difficulties faced by the victims are not less. In many cases, the officials are stuck in royal obstacles, and often the victims have to face “long delays” in getting financial assistance.
If these institutions really want to become guardians of human rights,
then they need to improve their system on the basis of “Transparency, Prompt Response, and Public Trust.
View More Related Post: Right Angle – Written by Nadeem Ahmed Advocate
Human rights institutions are a symbol of the conscience of a country. If they become a mere formality, then there is no refuge left for the victims of oppression. Pakistan needs such a system — Where Human rights are considered as a fundamental right, not a favor of the government.
