ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Human Rights (MoHR) marked International Human Rights Day 2025 at the Prime Minister’s House in collaboration with UNDP, bringing together ambassadors, UN representatives, civil society members, and senior government officials to reaffirm Pakistan’s commitment to justice, equality, and human dignity.
Speaking at the event, Fauzia Viqar, Federal Ombudsperson for Protection against Harassment at the Workplace (FOSPAH), underscored the central role of her office in safeguarding women’s rights. “No woman should have to choose between her dignity and her livelihood,” she stated, highlighting FOSPAH’s mandate to ensure harassment-free, equitable workplaces across Pakistan.
Ms. Viqar noted that FOSPAH has restored property worth over PKR 10 billion to women and provides fast, free, accessible, and sensitive justice. She emphasized that these procedures have built growing trust among women and created a strong preventive impact across workplaces and institutions. Calling for enhanced resources, improved inheritance mutation mechanisms, and expanded legal aid, she stressed the need to sustain and deepen FOSPAH’s national impact.
Federal Minister for Human Rights Azam Nazeer Tarar reaffirmed that human rights are essential to democratic governance and everyday life, emphasizing government initiatives aimed at protecting vulnerable groups and improving access to justice.
The event, held under the theme “Human Rights: Our Everyday Essentials,” also featured the launch of a landmark study titled “Harmonising Pakistan’s Laws with International Human Rights Standards,” developed by MoHR in collaboration with the Research Society of International Law. RSIL President Ahmer Bilal Soofi described the study as a significant step toward aligning Pakistan’s legal framework with international human rights norms.
The gathering concluded with a renewed commitment to building safe, inclusive spaces and strengthening institutions like FOSPAH that play a pivotal role in protecting women’s rights and amplifying their voices nationwide.
