AWAM Pakistan

19/08/2026

Respecting Diversity – Promoting Coexistence

AWAM Pakistan, in collaboration with Tearfund and PBCS, organised an interactive seminar titled “Respecting Diversity – Promoting Coexistence: Jaranwala Incident and Efforts for Social Reconstruction.”

The seminar provided a meaningful platform for reflection, dialogue and collective learning on the Jaranwala incident, its legal and social implications, the experiences of affected communities—particularly women—and the pathways towards rebuilding trust and peaceful coexistence.

The discussions were moderated by Naseem Anthony, Director Programmes, AWAM Pakistan; Jamshed Gill, Representative & Project Head CCM, Tearfund; and Eli Sardar, Principal, PBCS.

The first panel discussion, featuring Naeem Ahmad (Journalist), Asif Mehmood (NADRA), and Mrs. Josephine (DPS School), explored “The Jaranwala Incident: Legal Proceedings, Local Context, and Women’s Sufferings.” The panel highlighted the importance of justice, institutional responsiveness, documentation, and recognising the particular vulnerabilities faced by women and families affected by faith-based violence.

The second panel discussion brought together Dr. Rizwan Ullah Kokab, Professor, Department of History, GCUF; Dr. Ghulam Mustafa, Chairperson, Department of International Relations, GCUF; Dr. Unsa Jamshed, Assistant Professor of Pakistan Studies, GCWUF; and Dr. Tayyaba, Department of Political Science, GCWUF. The panel reflected on “Faith-Based Conflicts and Reconstruction of Broken Relationships: Efforts, Remedies and the Way Forward.”

The dialogue emphasised that sustainable peace requires more than addressing incidents after they occur. It demands justice, inclusive citizenship, institutional accountability, interfaith dialogue, community engagement, and deliberate efforts to rebuild relationships and social trust.

Respect diversity. Restore trust. Promote coexistence. Build peace.

13/08/2026

National Minority Day 2026 | Public Accountability Forum

On the occasion of National Minority Day 2026, AWAM Pakistan, in partnership with Minority Rights Group (MRG) under the EU-funded AA-FoRB project, organized a Public Accountability Forum on: “Leave No One Behind Principle and Religious Minorities in Pakistan: Equal Citizenship, Meaningful Participation & Equitable Access to Opportunities.”

Moderated by Mr. Naseem Anthony, Programme Director, AWAM Pakistan, the forum brought together academics, policy makers, civil society representatives, human rights advocates, youth and community influentials to reflect on the realities of equal citizenship and inclusion for religious minorities in Pakistan.

The distinguished speakers included Sonia Javed, Executive Director of AWAM Pakistan; Dr. Ghulam Mustafa, Chairperson, Department of IR, GCUF; Prof. Dr. Rizwan Ullah Kokab, Department of History, GCUF; Dr. Unsa Jamshed, Chairperson, Department of History & Pakistan Studies and Registrar, GCWUF; Mr. Jamshaid Gill, Representative, Tearfund Faisalabad; and Barrister Afaq Tahir.

The discussion highlighted the need to move beyond formal commitments towards meaningful participation, inclusive institutions, equal access to opportunities, and effective implementation of constitutional guarantees for religious minorities. Leaving no one behind means ensuring that every citizen can participate, contribute and thrive with dignity and equality.

12/08/2026

12/08/2026

On this join Chanan Development Association (CDA) Pakistan to celebrate three inspiring young leaders Sonia Javaid (Executive Director AWAM Pakistan, Roshni Anwer Founder HerSpace and Ramayia Agha Founder Society For Participatory Development

Tune in today for our Facebook live - at 4:00 - 5:00 pm Pakistan time

29/07/2026

Empowering Youth Through Institutional Learning!

AWAM Pakistan organized an educational field visit for youth to key governmental institutions, including the Women Police Station, Khidmat Markaz, and Safe City.

The visit provided youth with an opportunity to gain first-hand insight into the functioning of public institutions, understand mechanisms for accessing justice and public services, and explore the role of law enforcement and technology in protecting human rights and ensuring public safety.

Through meaningful interaction and practical learning, the youth developed a deeper understanding of institutional processes and the importance of their role as informed and active citizens in strengthening human rights protection mechanisms.

23/07/2026

Day 3 | 3-Day National Consultative Workshop on Minority Rights and Freedom of Religion or Belief

The final day of the 3-Day National Consultative Workshop on Minority Rights and Freedom of Religion or Belief: Legislative Framework, Policy Enactment, and Institutional Measures, organized by AWAM Pakistan in collaboration with the Department of International Relations, GCUF, and in partnership with Social Sciences Baha Services, under the EU-funded Asia Action for Freedom of Religion or Belief (AA-FoRB) project, focused on key challenges affecting religious minorities and strengthening evidence-based advocacy and policy recommendations.

The day began with an interactive Fish Bowl Dialogue on the context of religious hate and mob violence, examining government efforts to address faith-based conflicts and the role of civil society. The discussion featured Asiya Nasir(Former MNA), Tamseela Chishti (Journalist), and Advocate Fatima Saeed, allowing participants to engage in an open exchange of perspectives, concerns, and possible solutions.

A dedicated session on Minority Women, Protection Mechanisms and International Protocols, with a focus on minority family laws and forced conversions, was led by Ms. Asia Nasir. This was followed by government protection mechanism for minorities and Charter of demand and recommendations facilitated by Ms. Asia Nasir, MPA Qudsia Batool zia, Dr. Irem Sultana (Mass Communication, GCUF), and Dr. Ghulam Mustafa (Chairperson, Department of International Relations, GCUF).

The workshop concluded with reflections on key highlights, participant feedback, and collective consent around the emerging recommendations, led by Dr. Ghulam Mustafa, Associate Professor and Chairperson, Department of International Relations, GCUF. The three-day consultative process brought together diverse stakeholders to strengthen dialogue, evidence-based policymaking, and advocacy for the protection of minority rights and Freedom of Religion or Belief in Pakistan.

21/07/2026

Day 2 | 3-Day National Consultative Workshop on Minority Rights and Freedom of Religion or Belief

The second day of the 3-Day National Consultative Workshop on Minority Rights and Freedom of Religion or Belief: Legislative Framework, Policy Enactment, and Institutional Measures, organized by AWAM Pakistan in collaboration with GCUF IR Department and partnership with Social Sciences Baha under the EU-funded Asia Action for Freedom of Religion or Belief (AA-FoRB) project, began with an overview of the 'local context of human rights and the marginalization of religious minorities in Pakistan', exploring emerging trends, patterns of discrimination, and the impact of relevant laws and policies, led by Naseem Anthony, Director Programs, AWAM Pakistan.

The workshop examined the progress of the Government in incorporating recommendations from the previous Cycle of UPR, particularly in the context of Freedom of Religion or Belief, with insights from Ghulam Abbas, Representative of the National Commission for Human Rights. This was followed by a 'Civil Society Perspective on Progress to Protect FoRB, presented by 'Farah Zia, Director, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP).

The discussions also explored the 'National Interfaith Harmony Policy and the National Commission for Minority Rights', examining the gap between de jure provisions and de facto realities. Participants further engaged in a critical discussion on the 'social acceptance of religious minorities as equal citizens', with Dr. Yaqoob Bangash, Dean of the School of Economics and Social Sciences, IBA Karachi, Pakistan, who highlighted the socio-political spaces available to minorities and emphasized the importance of 'educational attainment and the challenges faced by minority children in attaining quality education'.

The day concluded with an interactive Policy Café, providing a space for dialogue between participants, authorities, and political decision-makers. Facilitated by Ejaz Alam Augustine (MPA), Ghulam Abbas (NCHR), Dr. Yaqoob Bangash, and Professor Dr. Muqarrab Akbar, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Political Science BZU Multan, the Policy Café methodology enabled participants to rotate between thematic discussions, share concerns, identify key challenges, and collectively explore practical policy solutions and a way forward for strengthening minority rights and Freedom of Religion or Belief in Pakistan.

The discussions reaffirmed the importance of evidence-based policymaking, institutional accountability, inclusive governance, and meaningful participation of religious minorities in shaping policies that recognize and protect all citizens as equal members of society.

19/07/2026

Day 1 of the National Consultative Workshop on Minority rights and Freedom of Religion or Belief

17/07/2026

Day 1 | 3-Day National Consultative Workshop on Minority Rights and Freedom of Religion or Belief

AWAM Pakistan, in collaboration with the Department of International Relations, Government College University Faisalabad (GCUF), and in partnership with Social Science Baha Services (SSBS), Nepal, officially commenced the 3-Day National Consultative Workshop on Minority Rights and Freedom of Religion or Belief: Legislative Framework, Policy Enactment, and Institutional Measures under the EU-funded Asia Action for Freedom of Religion or Belief (AA-FoRB) project.

Bringing together 30 human rights defenders and key stakeholders from Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the workshop serves as an inclusive platform to strengthen Pakistan's contribution to the upcoming Universal Periodic Review (UPR) through evidence-based dialogue and actionable policy recommendations on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) and minority rights.

The opening day featured welcome remarks by Ms. Sonia Javed, Executive Director of AWAM Pakistan, followed by an overview of the workshop objectives by Dr. Ghulam Mustafa, Associate Professor and Chairperson, Department of International Relations, GCUF.

Participants further engaged in an insightful session on "The Shrinking Cyber-Spaces for Minority Rights Defenders" facilitated by Dr. Haroon Baloch, Assistant Professor and Digital Rights Activist at the University of Management and Technology, highlighting the evolving challenges to online freedom, digital security, and civic space for minority rights defenders.

The day concluded with a collaborative review of Digital Spaces & Safety for Minority Rights Defenders — Online Freedom, Digital Security & Access. Through facilitated group discussions, participants validated evidence, resolved differing perspectives, and reached consensus on key findings that will contribute to evidence-based recommendations for strengthening the protection of Freedom of Religion or Belief in Pakistan.

09/07/2026

AWAM Pakistan organized an interactive session with youth on Freedom of Religion or Belief, bringing together students from different universities and representatives of the Pakistan Bible Correspondence School to promote meaningful dialogue on religious diversity and social inclusion.

The session provided a platform to challenge myths, misconceptions, and stereotypes surrounding different religions through open and respectful discussions. Participants exchanged perspectives, explored shared values, and emphasized the importance of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and interfaith harmony.