Efforts urged to strengthen democracy, policy engagement

ABBOTTABAD: Speakers here on Friday called for strengthening democracy through constructive societal influence and policy engagement that required communities particularly the youth to deepen their understanding of civic freedoms and their significance.

They were talking at a capacity-building workshop titled “Civic Freedoms and Democracy”, organized by the Integrated Human Rights Network (IHRN) in collaboration with the Human Development Organization (HDO) and the Mansehra Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Friday.

The representatives of civil society organizations, university students, teachers, human rights defenders, and journalists attended the workshop. Social activist and President of the Mansehra Chamber of Commerce Syed Mumtaz Shah, HDO Team Leader Sadaqat Hasan, and HDO Programme Director Mohammad Ahsan facilitated the sessions as resource persons.

The speakers said that every citizen had the fundamental right to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association which were essential for influencing government policies, socio-political affairs, economic matters, and governance systems.

“These rights are not only enshrined in Pakistan’s Constitution but also guaranteed under the UN Human Rights Charter and related treaties,” said Syed Mumtaz Shah.He added that democratic governance cannot be complete without civil liberties. He stressed that both the state and citizens must fulfill their respective responsibilities for democracy to thrive.

Mohammad Ahsan highlighted that monitoring of civic freedoms, which was integral to human rights, was ongoing at multiple levels in Pakistan. He noted that after Pakistan received the GSP+ status, the European Union directly linked Pakistan’s economic benefits to compliance with 27 international human rights treaties, which allow preferential tariffs on industrial exports to EU countries.

“Any lapse in compliance could result in significant economic losses for the country,” he warned, sharing findings from international organizations on the state of civil liberties in Pakistan.

In his presentation, Sadaqat Hasan emphasized the leadership role of youth in building a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous society.He urged young people to first strengthen their knowledge of fundamental rights, civic space, and responsibilities. “We cannot defend your rights unless we are aware of the national and international human rights frameworks,” he remarked.