Press Release
Karachi, 15 March 2026: The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) organized a conference titled “Institutional Mechanisms for the Protection of Rights” in Karachi, bringing together policymakers, legal experts, civil society representatives, and academics to deliberate on strengthening mechanisms for the protection of minority rights in Pakistan.
Moderating the session, Lubna Jarar outlined the objectives of the conference and underscored the need for coordinated institutional efforts to ensure effective protection of minority communities and the implementation of constitutional guarantees.
In his keynote address, Peter Jacob, Executive Director of CSJ, highlighted the importance of strengthening institutional frameworks, effective policymaking, and accountability to ensure that minority communities fully enjoy their constitutional rights. He also noted that CSJ is working with the (NCRC) on a draft related to legislation on faith conversions. Referring to political participation, he emphasized that the joint electoral system provides a more inclusive framework for minority representation.
Manisha Ropeta, Chairperson of the Committee for Minorities Affairs, Sindh Police, highlighted the critical role of law enforcement in safeguarding minority rights and stressed the importance of stronger collaboration between police institutions and civil society.
Luke Victor, Advocate and human rights defender, discussed legal and institutional safeguards for the protection of minority girls in light of Articles 20 and 25 of the Constitution of Pakistan, noting the significant challenge posed by weak implementation of the Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act.
Dr. Riaz Ahmed Sheikh, Dean at (SZABIST), emphasized the role of education, research, and public awareness in advancing minority rights. He suggested incorporating topics such as fundamental rights and child marriage into academic curricula to promote awareness and help build a more informed and responsible future generation.
The conference concluded with an interactive discussion, and in his closing remarks, Peter Jacob called for sustained collaboration between government institutions, civil society, and policymakers to promote equality, justice, and social harmony in Pakistan.
