Monthly Update: April, 2007
PAKISTAN
Amidst the growing uncertainty and atmosphere of increased violence and insecurity in the frontier province of Pakistan, ActionAid in collaboration with HRCP, SDPI and SUNGI organized a provincial consultation on the "State of Security in NWFP and FATA: Voicing People's Perspectives" on 14th April 2007. An array of people from various sectors were present, including journalists, activists/intellectuals and tribal representatives from all FATA agencies and other affected areas, academicians and students, lawyers as well as representatives of political parties and to some extent from the government as well. Women were also represented; though to a limited extent as it is always difficult to mobilize women from NWFP, especially from FATA areas.
As the outcome of this consultation national civil society organizations (NGOs) have successfully entered into local civil society network of NWFP and FATA and have created some space for themselves. Through this consultative process we have taken a step towards greater acceptability and trust building between NGOs and local people.
Under the campaign against the British Petroleum Company extracting thousands of barrel oil per day from the soil of District Badin known as the richest in terms of natural resources but declared as poorest by World Bank report in achieving all the human development indicators. ActionAid has initiated a campaign by including thousands of local people of District Badin under which many seminars, rallies, and demonstrations have taken place. Probing into the matter and having a very good analytical approach Badin Rural Development Society with its limited resources has launched a Documentary Film on British Petroleums injustice with the people, the figures, facts and fake claims of the Company regarding the development of the area.
"Study Circle" on the topic of "Human Rights& Cultural Practices in Pakistan" was held at Lahore. The purpose of this activity was to create perception and realization among youth groups about different social issues and to expand their capability and understanding on the same. Students from various educational institutions like FC College, Lahore College for Women University, Govt. Fatima Jinnah Women College Chuna Mandi and Women Studies Department of Punjab University enthusiastically contributed in the activity and shared their views and ideas on the topic. Mr. Zahid Islam, a prominent social and political activist was the resource person who connected the Human Rights with Cultural Practices in Pakistan in a very effective way. A documentary named as “Murder in Parrdah” was also shown that presented a thought-provoking example of violation of human rights in the form of cultural practices, giving a meticulous overview of "Honor Killings" in various parts of Pakistan.
