STAFF REPORT
PESHAWAR: The speakers at a seminar on Tuesday emphasized the need for political parties to focus their efforts on putting the national action plan into effect, take decisive action to combat terrorism and extremism, and introduce measures to address unresolved human rights issues.
The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) organized the seminar “Protection and Rights of Citizens: Political Consensus”. Executive Director of CSJ Peter Jacob, Sardar Hussain Babak (ANP), former MNA Bushra Gohar (NDM), Arshad Aziz Malik, Suneel Malik, Dr. Khadim Husain, Syed Ayub Shah Advocate (PPP), Augustin Jacob Social, and Human Rights Activist Shahid Mehmood were among the speakers.
A report by the Center for Social Justice (CSJ) titled “Promises to Keep & Miles to Go” was released at this point. It examined political parties’ promises, actions, and performance regarding minorities’ rights during the last three legislative terms.
PTI among political parties which progressed on its pledges
According to the study, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) only partially progressed on two of the five pledges it made in its election program for 2018.
According to Peter Jacob, the CSJ feels the sorrow of the families and the whole country impacted by the attack on the police lines in Peshawar a week ago. The Apex Committee meeting and the All-Parties Conference are warmly welcomed by Pakistan’s civil society, which also supports the country’s efforts to combat extremism and militancy.
The political process should enable significant changes to the legal framework, including the constitution of Pakistan, to inculcate the standards of equality and justice envisioned in Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s speech on August 11, 1947. He demanded that the upcoming census ensure the maximum inclusion of Pakistan’s diversity.
According to Bushra Gohar, political parties have failed to confront human rights violations. They have compromised their mandates and political will due to pressure from religious groups, forcing them to incorporate religion in their arguments and policy decisions to score political points.
According to Arshad Aziz Malik, the Pakistani constitution guarantees the protection of every citizen’s life and property, but governmental institutions have fallen short of their duty to advance, defend, and uphold human rights.
He said that to stop acts of terrorism and extremism, the political and armed forces must decide to take significant action.
A report titled “Promises to Keep & Miles to Go” by CSJ revealed that the government in Punjab between 2008 and 2022 initiated 11 policy actions, followed by the federal with 9 actions, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 7, Sindh with six actions, and Balochistan with 8.
Our administrative structure needs to be thoroughly reexamined because most policy acts need a solid legal foundation and an effective execution mechanism.
The government needed help legislating and establishing process rules in many measures; thus, the policy activities mainly rely on sending notifications, which is a convenient use of administrative powers.
There was a lack of implementation owing to a lack of notifications, or the goal of the policy action was not achieved, according to the document, which claimed that specific information on the use of funds allotted for scholarships, houses of worship, and skill development was not made public.
