One day human rights training in Karachi for young people
by Shafique Khokhar

The National Commission for Justice and Peace and Pahel Pakistan organised the event centred on respect for diversity and pluralism. Peace requires religious and political tolerance in society.


Karachi (AsiaNews) – The National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP) of the Archdiocese of Karachi and Pahel Pakistan, a non-profit advocacy group, held a one-day workshop yesterday for young human rights defenders.

The initiative, which brought together youth from across Karachi, was hosted by the Catechetical Centre Karachi

NCJP coordinator Kashif Anthony told participants that the country needs tolerance and diversity, and that "we must all believe that the day will come when we will have a just society in Pakistan.”

According to Anthony, this process may be slow, but thanks to people’s efforts “our country will be the best in the world". However, he warned that people should not only think about their rights, but also about their duties.

Pahel Pakistan chief executive officer Deedar Ahmed Mirani said that human rights are inherent to everyone, regardless of nationality, ethnic origin, sex, colour, religion, language or any other status.

Such rights must be exercised responsibly, respecting those of others. No government, group or individual has the right to do anything that violates the rights of others.

Speaking of pluralism, Mirani highlighted the problems that afflict ignored segments of society such as women, children, transgender people, religious minorities, the disabled and rural youth.

For the activist, without the contribution of all groups it will not be possible to build a resilient society that takes care of vulnerable people.

For Pahel Pakistan project coordinator Jawaad ​​Mirani, as citizens “we must be willing to carry out small acts of advocacy for the common good. Only with continuous activity of this kind will it be possible to see the change we want.”

The young participants in the seminar expressed the need to become good activists to change Pakistani society.

One of them, Nabila Aslam, said that without change in oneself there will be no peace and acceptance of others in Pakistan: "Peace,” she says, “requires religious and political tolerance”.