Monthly Update: June, 2007
PAKISTAN
Peace : Intending to find a way out, people themselves, we believe are in the best position to come forward, discuss and put-forth working solutions to those at the helm of affairs. Therefore ActionAid, HRCP, SUNGI, SDPI planned to organize a series of consultations on the state of security in Pakistan. As part of our Series of Security Consultations in Pakistan, second provincial consultation was held on the State of Human Security and Peace in Balochistan in Quetta.
The consultation was the follow up of the National Dialogue on the Balochistan Conflict, which was held in Islamabad in December, 2006. The Report of the National Dialogue was also launched at the event.
We have invited people from all walks of life, including academicians, journalists, lawyers, human rights activists, women, students, representatives of political parties and the government, tribal elders as well as community activists from other (conflict-hit) areas in Balochistan to identify certain policy recommendations for sustainable peace long desired for.
The participants of the Second Provincial Security Consultation gave recommendations with regard to the current precarious situation in Balochistan and stressed that in the context of the current emergency situation (flood) in Balochistan; the government should immediately release appropriate funds and effectively provide relief measures to affected people in the province. Reconstruction and rehabilitation programmes should be initiated for flood affected people while military operation in Balochistan should be stopped immediately and Balochistan conflict should be resolved through a political dialogue.
They also suggested that military should stop establishing new cantonments in Balochistan and the soil of Balochistan should not be used as a base against Afghanistan or Iran. Basic human rights of the people in Balochistan should be protected. The government should also guarantee the social, political and economic rights and the empowerment of women in Balochistan.
Women's Rights: Two one-day seminars on domestic violence were organized by a short term partner in the rural area of Tehsil Takhtbai District Mardan. The participants of the seminar included school teachers, elected representatives of local government, advocates, local activists and media representatives etc. It was suggested at the seminars to form three committees at Union Council levels where the Nazim of the respective Union Council would be responsible and will keep an eye on any incident of domestic violence in the area and respond accordingly.
ActionAid Area office Peshawar started a campaign on Womens Political, Economic, Social and Inheritance rights in the most rigid area of Dir Lower NWFP in collaboration with five local partner organizations. Dir is considered as the hub of extremists activities. One of the partners organized its first seminar on Womens Political and Economic rights in Timargara. The seminar was attended by the female school teachers, LG elected representatives etc. As in Dir women are not allowed to take part in any political activity even they are not allowed to practice their right to vote. Even the political leaders of the area support this phenomenon and they make decision with the elders of the communities to ban women of their right to vote. In this situation ActionAid and partner organizations organized a seminar with the support of Peshawar office. The women participants were sensitized on their political and economic rights in the light of Islam and Pakistani as well as International laws.
Gender: Youth of any society plays very important role in behavioral structure of the society. Gender guidance provides critical thinking and an understanding of women's diverse contributions to society. A Gender Training of Youth was organized in Rahim Yar Khan to make the young generation realize the equal contribution and status of women and men in all areas of life, so that our relationships, both personal and social, are characterized by the freedom and mutuality, which can only occur among equals.
Governance: During the month of June Government of Pakistan placed draft voter lists at display centers which show a deliberate sweep out of a large number of votes. But no one from political parties or from civil society took any initiative to challenge them. A Seminar on Role of media in Vote Registration was organized to create a movement among political leaders and civil society to challenge these voters lists through media campaign which would lead to a greater awareness among voters for just and democratic governance.
Jails in Pakistan are the nurseries of crimes where a normal prisoner becomes a professional criminal. This trend is common in juveniles. If these children are handled properly in jails they can become good citizens after releasing from jail. To improve the condition of these children in jail and to improve their life skills, AAPk started program of literacy and capacity building with juveniles in Rahim Yar Khan.
