International Human Rights Day Organized and Celebrated by Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Department, Punjab

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LAHORE – International Human Rights Day organized and celebrated by Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Department, Punjab on 10th December 2022 in Chief Minister House, Lahore. Many notable names from Christian, Sikh and Hindu organizations participated and spoke in the event organized by Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Department. Former Governor Punjab, Mr. Omar Sarfraz Cheema, Secretary Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Department Mr. Muhammad Masood Mukhtar and Parliamentary Secretary Human Rights & Minorities Affairs Punjab Mr. Mahinder Pall Singh also participated and expressed their views regarding the protection of Human Rights in Pakistan as a major priority.

HRMA, Punjab is committed to implement the ideals of human rights enshrined in the constitution of Pakistan along with Punjab government rules of business. The department aims at expanding to the districts for the implementation of the human rights. HRMA believe that administrative extension to districts shall be the game changer & it will improve the condition of human rights in the province.

From 2006 to July 2008 the Human Rights Wing was part of the ” Law, Parliamentary Affairs, & Human Rights Department “. Similarly, the Minorities-related issues were being dealt with under “Auqaf, Religious Affairs, & Minorities Affairs Department”. On July 12, 2008, a separate administrative department was created as the ” Human Rights & Minorities Affairs Department ” (HR&MA Department).

Most of Pakistan’s laws are secular in nature, some of which were inherited from the United Kingdom’s colonial rule of modern-day Pakistan before 1947. However, in practice, Sharia Law takes precedence over Pakistani law. The Constitution of Pakistan provides for fundamental rights which include freedom of speech, freedom of thought, freedom of information, freedom of religion, freedom of association, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly and the (conditional) right to bear arms.