(Kathmandu/Bangkok) – 12 October, 2018: The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) strongly condemns the detention of Pashtun woman human rights defender Gulalai Ismail by immigration authorities at Islamabad airport and demands her immediate release without any delay. Media reports suggest that Gulalai Ismail returned to Islamabad from London and was told by [ Read more ]

(Kathmandu/Bangkok) – 11 October 2018: The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) is gravely concerned over the expulsion notice issued to 18 INGOs by the Pakistan Ministry of Interior. On 2 October 2018, the 18 INGOs were asked to close their operations within 60 days informing that their registration applications had been rejected. [ Read more ]

FORUM-ASIA member National Commision for Justice and Peace (NCJP) from Pakistan published the sixth edition of their research on the education system in Pakistan, which includes policy making, curriculum and the textbooks taught at schools across the country. To download a PDF version of this report, click here.

FORUM-ASIA member Human Rights Commission of Pakistan recently launched a fact-finding mission report titled ‘Curbs on freedom of expression in Pakistan’. The report looks at the interference of the state in the work of journalists – including reporters, editors and anchors – working for both print and broadcast media in Pakistan. *** For a PDF [ Read more ]

PODA Election Observation Preliminary Report  General Elections 2018 7th August, 2018 (Islamabad):  On behalf of Potohar Organization for Development Advocacy (PODA) a team of 56 election observers (34 women and 22 men) observed 2018 General Elections in 20 districts of Pakistan including Bahawalnagar, Chakwal, Dera Ghazi Khan, Dadu, Ghotki, Hyderabad, Islamabad Jamshoro, Jacobabad, Jhelum, Khanewal, [ Read more ]

The alarming increase in incidents of violence based on faith and the discriminatory attitudes of police and administration in the year 2017 suggests that the religious minorities in Pakistan have little to hope for in the year 2018. Published by FORUM-ASIA’s member National Commision for Justice and Peace (NCJP), this ‘Human Rights Monitor 2018 – A [ Read more ]

(Bangkok/Kathmandu, 25 July 2018) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) welcomes and congratulates the people of Pakistan today on Parliamentary Election Day. Today is particularly significant for the country as it takes a step forward in people’s participation and strengthening its democracy. Pakistan has been struggling to strengthen its democracy for [ Read more ]

Islamabad, 16 July 2018. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) is gravely concerned over what it sees as blatant, aggressive and unabashed attempts to manipulate the outcome of the upcoming elections. While it is critical that the polls are held as scheduled, there are now ample grounds to doubt their legitimacy – with alarming [ Read more ]

General elections are scheduled for July 25, 2018. It is very welcoming that Pakistan is moving towards its democratic transition. The Elections are a central feature of democracy. For elections to express the will of the electorate, it must be ‘free and fair’. In other words, all those entitled to vote have the right to be registered and to vote. The [ Read more ]

(Kathmandu/Bangkok, 27 June 2018) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) is deeply concerned over the shrinking democratic space for free expression and dissent in Pakistan. There is an intensifying crackdown on activists, journalists, human rights defenders, and the civil society, following the announcement of the election dates. FORUM-ASIA urges Pakistani authorities [ Read more ]