Islamabad,(Parliament Times) – Stakeholders Forum 2023 organized by United Global Organization of Development (UGOOD) in collaboration with AwazCDS and Pakistan Development Alliance in Hillview Hotel Islamabad on April 18, 2023.Representative of Civil Society Organizations, National Human Rights Institutes (NHRIs), Print and Electronic Media, Academia, Lawyers, Human Rights Defenders, ICT Charities, EAD and SECP participated and endorsed call to action to reclaim civic rights and spaces.
UGOOD being a Lead partner organization in Islamabad, Syed Ishtiaq Gilani welcome all the distinguished guests and representatives of CSOs of Pakistan on multi-stakeholders forum to reclaim civic spaces and social rights. In his presentation, Syed Ishtiaq Gilanihighlighted and discussed the key findingsabouta nationwide survey on civic spaces and human rights situation was conducted in October 2022. The survey was responded by 269 leading CSOs/ NGOs/ CBOs from all across the country. Findings of the survey were shared with all related stakeholders through countrywide 14 consultations with them. Separate consultations were organized with CSOs and regulatory institutions as well as other related departments and security agencies. The consultations were attended by reps of CSOs/ NGOs /CBOs whereas reps of various regulatory authorities and security agencies. The participants not only appreciated the initiative by AwazCDS-Pakistan and member organizations of Pakistan Development Alliance but also gave practical recommendations to improve the civic rights and spaces in the country.
Provincial lead partner organizations of Pakistan Development Alliance were also encouraged to hold exclusive meetings with concerned regulatory authorities and related stakeholders. 14 meetings were organized countrywide with heads of charity commissions, reps of Economic Affairs Division, Social Welfare Department, Industries Department, Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) etc. In order to generate dialogue / discourse further AwazCDS-Pakistan/ Pakistan Development Alliance and its partner organization(s) have organized stakeholders’ forum to pitch the possible solutions to reclaim civic rights and spaces in the country as well as to create conducive political environment for CSOs. The stakeholder Forum held at provincial and regional headquarters with the support of PDA’s provincial lead partners.
High on the agenda was the need to address declining or shrinking civic space – in other words the space outside government where citizens come together, organize and engage in the collective life and wellbeing of their communities.The stakeholders’ forums in Islamabadattended by both government and non-governmental stakeholders, reps of concerned regulatory authorities, media and social media activists, reps of political parties and members of Parliament, members of standing committee on human rights, reps of NHRIs including NCHR, NCRC, NCSW, PCSW, Commission on minority rights etc.
Civil Society of Pakistan Leaders Ms. Samina Nazeer, CEO PODA, Ms. Shah Begum, CEO ABKT,Brig (R) Shafqat Mehmood,CEO PAIMAN, Amjad Nazeer,ED IDRAC, Muhammad Shafique Chaudhry, ED PCHR, andMs. Shahnza from Islamic Relief emphasized and endorsed the points that there should be a CSOs Alliance where we can collectively raise the voice regarding shrinking civic spaces and civic rights which constitution of Pakistan guarantees citizen “the right to assembly and freedom of expression”. Representatives of civil society further demanded that there should be one regulatory registration authority for registration, regulation and facilitation of NGOs to strengthen and foster cooperation with civil society organizations. Multiple registration processes and verification requirements have slow down the process of the development work.
Prominent political leaders Pakistan People Party and former Senator Farhatullah Babar, Dr. Bashir Hussain, Voice Chairman of Awami Workers Party, and Member ICT of NCRC, Khalid Naeem, Member Minority of NCHR, Manzoor Masih, and representatives from SECP, ICT Charities, EAD, MoFA, Academia, Print and Electronic Media unanimously endorsed the point to bridge a communication gap between civil society representatives and government departments to enhanced and strengthen cooperation.
Sharing the recommendations from ICT stakeholders member Parliament, reps of Ministry, Member or Standing Committee, Members NHRIs and representatives from CSOs, Syed Ishtiaq Gilani said that there should be frequently dialogues and discussions among the CSOs and registration authorities, security and law enforcement agencies for better understanding and coordination with stakeholders to ease out the lengthy and complicated processes. There should representatives from the civil society, state bank, FBR, PCP in the decision making board of Economic Affair Division for close coordination and pitch the possible solution.In Pakistan NGOs face harsh restrictions and human rights activists risk imprisonment and harassment. It is important that the government recognizes the role of civil society and promotes a culture of cooperation and trust.
In the concluding remarks,Muhammad Shafique Chaudhry, ED PCHR, addressing the emergency of shrinking civic spaces and how to reclaim in Pakistan. Civil society does not, however, exist in isolation, being an integral part of democratic systems and societies.Political instabilities is not only affecting civil society but all other stakeholders in democratic societies.
