Policy Dialogue in Punjab Highlights the Urgency of Inclusive Human Rights Planning
On April 8, 2025, the Human Rights and Minority Affairs Department (HR&MA) of the Government of Punjab organized a high-level policy dialogue in Lahore to discuss the demographic shifts occurring in Pakistan and their implications for human rights and inclusion. Held at Park Lane Hotel, the session brought together government departments, civil society organizations, researchers, and technical experts to review the draft Punjab Human Rights Policy and explore how to make it more inclusive and future-ready.
The event was organized in collaboration with the Foundation for Ageing and Inclusive Development (FAID), which provided technical inputs on mainstreaming ageing and strengthening policy mechanisms for vulnerable groups, particularly older persons.
During the dialogue, Mr. Shahzado Khaskheli, Head of Program at FAID, spoke about the urgent need to align policies with the realities of an ageing population. He highlighted that demographic transition is no longer a distant concern but a pressing issue requiring anticipatory and inclusive policy planning.
Dr. Ali Abbas, Senior Research Associate at the National School of Public Policy, emphasized gaps in existing policies, especially for marginalized communities. He called for stronger coordination between departments and the use of evidence-based approaches to policy development.
A representative from the Human Rights Department shared updates on the ongoing policy review process, including challenges such as limited institutional capacity and the absence of a dedicated provincial human rights law. The department also outlined efforts to form a Focal Persons’ Task Force for interdepartmental coordination and timely policy updates.
FAID’s Program Officer, Ms. Tanzila Siddique, presented a detailed policy review and gap analysis, offering recommendations to strengthen the draft.
She advocated for integrating ageing across all chapters of the policy, proposing a rights-based and comprehensive chapter dedicated to senior citizens. She further recommended adopting a holistic inclusion lens that addresses the diverse needs of all vulnerable populations.
The session concluded with a reaffirmed commitment by the HR&MA Department to advance inclusive policy reforms. As immediate next steps, participants agreed to establish a WhatsApp group for departmental focal persons, conduct a thorough review of the draft policy with an ageing and vulnerability lens, and reconvene in May 2025 to finalize technical recommendations.
FAID remains committed to supporting the Government of Punjab in developing policies that uphold the rights and dignity of all citizens—especially older people and marginalized groups.
