Protecting civil rights : Civil society organisations condemn ‘govt harassment’

Pakistan Civil Society Forum deplores ‘vilification campaign’ by government agencies

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Civil Society Forum (PCSF), a representative body of national NGOs, has expressed grave concern on what they call relentless vilification and targeting of civil society organisations and intimidation of human rights defenders by extremist groups and different government agencies.

These views were expressed at a two-day convention on “Promoting human rights and social development in Pakistan” that concluded here on Sunday.

Human rights activist I. A. Rehman chaired the session. Justice (retired) Ali Nawaz Chohan, chairperson National Commission on Human Rights was the chief guest.

The forum has also raised concerns over a cumbersome government’s registration process and demand of no objection certificates for each activity despite registration.

The PCSF appreciated the efforts of state institutions to curb terrorism and extremism and said that the civil society supports government’s initiatives under the National Action Plan (NAP).

The forum in a joint statement also demanded the simplification of opening of accounts and registration processes and introduction of a unified system of registration.

It also demanded the implementation of National Action Plan in its true letter and spirit.

The concluding session was attended by Mohammad Tahseen, Naseer Memon, Naeem Mirza, Mossarat Qadeem, Karamat Ali, Suleman Abro, Kishwar Sultana, Romana Bashir, Irfan Mufti, Amjad Rasheed and Jennifer Jag Jivan.

Senator Farhatullah Babar demanded that Tariq Fatemi’s report on NGOs which was submitted to the Prime Minister to be made public.

He also said that although the National Commission on Human Rights had been established under an act of the parliament but unfortunately it was not being provided funds to make it fully functional.

Afrasiab Khattak from ANP expressed his grave concerns on the non-implementation of National Plan of Action.

He also said that serious measures were required in Punjab to curb terrorism.

Justice (retired) Ali Nawaz Chohan said, “If we adopt Quaid’s ideology, we can resolve the menace of terrorism and extremism.”

He said that hate speech against each other’s religions and political choices in Pakistan had risen to a critical level and they should make all out efforts to resist that.

Rehman in his concluding remarks said that they had the right to question and challenge the State and its various institutions when they deviated from their constitutional obligations and duties.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 1^st,  2016.