Karachi : Bhittai Social Watch & Advocacy (BSWA), in collaboration with Sindh Human Rights Commission
(SHRC), and United States Institute of Peace (USIP), successfully conducted a Two-Day Training
Workshop Empowering Government Officials Uphold Rights of Marginalized Communities at
Shahbaz Hall Commissioner Office, Hyderabad. The workshop aimed to enhance the capacity of
Sindh government officials to safeguard the rights of marginalized communities. It provided
participants with a comprehensive understanding of laws and policies protecting religious
marginalized communities in Pakistan, equipping them to address the unique challenges faced
by these communities.
Representatives from various departments, including Human Rights, Local Government, Social
Welfare, Women Development, Minority Affairs, Labour and Human Resources, as well as
police officials participated in the sessions. The workshop focused on key legal protections,
human rights mechanisms, and enforcement strategies to promote equitable treatment for
minorities.
Mr. Iqbal Ahmed Detho, Chairperson of SHRC, led an in-depth session on critical legal
protections, including the Sindh Hindu Marriage Act (2016, Amended 2018), the Sindh Local
Government Act (2013), and other significant legislation. He addressed practical challenges,
such as the registration of pundits under the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS)
system, and emphasized the need for district focal persons to ensure free marriage and birth
registrations, as mandated by the Government of Sindh. He highlighted the importance of
marriage registration in securing marital and divorce rights for minority women and reaffirmed
constitutional guarantees under Articles 20 and 21, as well as Pakistan’s international
obligations to protect religious freedoms.
The training covered significant legislation, including the Sindh Protection of Communal
Properties of Minorities Act (2013), the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act
(2013), the Sindh Child Marriages Restraint Act (2013), and the Protection against Harassment
of Women at the Workplace Act (2010). Discussions also addressed critical issues such as forced
conversions, blasphemy allegations, hate speech, and attacks on places of worship, with
recommendations for strengthening the implementation of these laws through
interdepartmental collaboration. Mr. Detho emphasized the enforcement of the Minimum
Wages Act (2015) and its strict implementation.
On this occasion Senior Superintendent of Police, District Hyderabad, Mr. Farrukh Lanjar,
commending the participants’ dedication and emphasizing the shared responsibility of
government, law enforcement, and civil society in promoting inclusivity and protecting minority
rights.
Additionally, Mr. Sarfaraz Ahmed of SHRC highlighted the Commission’s mandate to protect
human rights in Sindh and advocated for a multi-stakeholder approach involving District
Criminal Justice Coordination Committees, District Legal Empowerment Committees, and
District Interfaith Harmony Committees.
Trainer Mr. Kashif Siddiqi conducted a session on anti-discrimination laws and the role of
District Peace Committees in fostering social cohesion. Participants engaged in group activities
to identify district-specific challenges and propose localized solutions for enhancing protections
for minorities.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Khadim Hussain Mirani, Executive Director BSWA commended the
participants for their dedication and active engagement, emphasizing the collective
responsibility of both government and civil society in upholding minority rights. The workshop
concluded with a certificate distribution ceremony, recognizing the participants’ commitment
to advancing minority rights and promoting inclusivity within their districts.
