Two many cooks: With just a pair of officials, HRD provides speedy justice

Director urges establishment of offices in all districts and launching of awareness campaigns

PESHAWAR: Few know it even exists, but with just two officials the Human Rights Directorate (HRD) is somehow managing to resolve family and domestic disputes apart from civil and criminal cases.  

While the much-trumpeted Alternative Dispute Resolution programme continues to function with its various committees, the HRD performs a similar function, albeit with much less manpower. Established under the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Promotion, Protection and Enforcement of Human Rights Ordinance 2013, the directorate is still being run by its director and an administration officer.



“It seems like I don’t have my arms since I don’t have any deputy or assistant at the directorate. Nevertheless, we have put in all our efforts to ensure immediate and cost-free justice,” HRD K-P Director Mukhtiar Ahmad told The Express Tribune.

However, he regretted that although human rights violations were rampant in K-P, complaints received by the directorate were few and far between. “Necessary action is always taken on all complaints after a detailed inquiry,” he asserted.

Ahmad urged the government to establish HRD offices in all districts across the province, adding that an awareness campaign should be launched so people know they can approach the directorate if their rights are violated.

“We have already sent proposals to the United Nations Development Programme, World Bank and Aetibar programme and plan to hold awareness meetings,” said Ahmad, adding once the shortcomings are addressed by the relevant authorities, the HRD will speed up the process of delivering free justice.

“Our aim is not to boast to the United Nations about our achievements, but to ensure human rights are not violated and people reap the benefits of an HRD.”

The K-P government has already launched dispute resolution committees (DRC) under the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) programme, as well as the Grievances Redressal Centre (GRC) so people are provided justice without delays.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 17^th, 2014.