MANSEHRA: The participants of a workshop held in Torghar on Wednesday emphasised the need for government functionaries to ensure protection of human rights during the execution of development projects and policymaking.

“Article 25 of the country’s Constitution states that all citizens are equal before the law and are entitled to its equal protection without any discrimination of gender,” Mohammad Haroon, assistant director and resource person of the Directorate General of Law and Human Rights, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, told participants of the workshop.

The one-day event on ‘Rights and governance’ was jointly organised by the Directorate General of Law and Human Rights, the district administration and the Sungi Development Foundation, and attended by officials from various departments, human rights activists, and representatives from local governments and civil society organisations.

“The relevant provisions in our Constitution guarantee the protection and promotion of human and women’s rights in every sphere of life, which we need to preserve in policymaking process too,” Mr Haroon added.

Abdul Nawaz, additional deputy director of Directorate General of Law and Human Rights, highlighted instances of human rights violations, particularly against women, at the grassroots level throughout the province.

“The district administration and police should join hands to eradicate crimes against marginalised segments of society in Torghar,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Shahid Aziz, regional coordinator of Sungi Development Foundation, said that their organisation in collaboration with Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund had launched the Building Climate Resilience Project in Torghar.

“This project is aimed at mitigating climate change effects on the local community, particularly women and children, and implement schemes to benefit the community members,” he said.

Sungi programme manager Babar Mehmood said initiatives like the workshop organised for the first time in Torghar would empower marginalised segments of society to access essential services and participate in decision-making processes.

SOARING LPG PRICES: Residents of Shinkiari on Sunday urged the district administration to keep a check on the soaring prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in the city and its surrounding areas.

They complained that LPG was being sold at Rs350 per kilogramme, and called on the district administration to launch a crackdown on the profiteers. The residents said that prices had increased with the onset of severe cold in the upper parts of the Hazara division.

“LPG dealers and those refilling small cylinders have raised prices without prior approval of the government. The district administration should take action and ensure a rollback of these extra charges to benefit consumers,” said a resident.

Published in Dawn, December 26th, 2024