The project focuses on addressing national and local issues through capacity building, and networking among the local political cadre of the minority wings in different parties. The project activity includes mobilizing public opinion, engaging with civil society actors, and consulting with minority legislators to support legislative initiatives. It also utilizes employing existing mechanisms for addressing violations and facilitating conflict resolution.

Achievements:

1. CSJ evolved a consensus around substantive human rights issues into a campaign, Mein Bhi Pakistan Hun, (I am also Pakistan) before the General Election 2024. The consensus five key demands were endorsed by the minority stakeholders, the target communities. These communities sponsored and displayed 700 banners in 61 localities of 20 Districts as collective demands i.e. 1) Incorporate Quaid-e-Azam’s speech, regarding equal citizenship and religious freedom delivered on August 11^th 1947 into the Constitution as well as educational curricula. 2) Implement Article 22-A of the Constitution to ensure that learning religious instructions of majority religion is not mandatory for religious minorities. 3) Strengthen laws to prevent child marriage and enact laws to prevent forced conversion. 4) Establish an autonomous and empowered commission for minorities’ rights at national and provincial levels through proper legislation. 5)  Establish an independent and empowered committee mandated to implement the verdict of the Supreme Court of Pakistan passed on 19 June 2014 for the protection of minorities’ rights.
2. A strategic focus of the project helped present five demands to all political parties. During the pre-election campaign, 30 news items highlighted the key demands were reported in mainstream national media outlets (8 English print and 22 Urdu media sources).
3. The abovementioned demands on issues related to religious freedom and minorities were mirrored in pledges in manifestos introduced by four mainstream political parties for General Elections 2024.
4. CSJ helped two members of Punjab Assembly draft speeches and resolutions advocating for a 2% education quota for minorities and other key demands. Additionally, a member of National Assembly incorporated CSJ’s proposals, such as revising educational curricula and forming a National Commission for Minorities’ Rights, into his speech at the President House. Moreover, another MPA Punjab presented resolutions on Quaid-e-Azam’s August 11 speech, the minorities’ 2% education quota, early child marriage, and jail remission for minority prisoners, while another MPA presented a resolution calling for increasing the minimum legal age for marriage from 16 to 18 years.
5. CSJ built a network of community-based actors, leading to formation of a Minority Forum Pakistan, CSJ formed at the district level, advocated for human rights, either directly or indirectly by writing applications under Right to Information (RTI), complaints, articles, social media posts and meeting with legislators.
6. CSJ strengthened its outreach by formally opening the membership of the Minority Forum Pakistan, enabling a wider network to address minority issues. A total of 1,149 individuals participated in awareness activities. 19 news items across were carried by Urdu, English, and Sindhi outlets.
7. The MLDP team submitted 45 applications under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, seeking data on minority teachers, students, education quotas, and the Meesaq Committee, and received 37 responses.
8. 2075 persons participated in seminars and peoples’ assemblies, which consequently helped increase their understanding of party pledges, implementation, and performance of the political parties regarding minorities’ rights.
9. Increased awareness on minorities’ rights around elections 2024. For instance, 2125 community members participated in 25 community meetings held in 16 districts that helped improve their understanding of issues in focus, and mobilize their participation in political and electoral process. MLDP members including political workers associated with minority wings of political parties, lawyers, and human rights activists facilitated the sessions.
10. Politicians associated with different political parties were engaged in the project activities that discussed the party pledges in manifestoes to address outstanding issues of minorities’ rights, particularly; forced faith conversions, blasphemy laws and establishment of a statutory National Commission for Minorities’ Rights.
11. 12 training workshops enhanced the skills and knowledge of 377 political workers from minority wings of political parties and human rights activists from Punjab and Sindh, and empowered them to actively engage in awareness and advocacy initiatives for the protection and promotion of minorities’ rights.
12. 13 seminars attended by 2170 participants, fostered meaningful dialogue among government representatives, minorities and civil society stakeholders, and amplified the demands of minorities and emphasized practical measures to address their longstanding issues.
13. 33 community stakeholder meetings provided a platform for minority stakeholders to develop strategies, discuss challenges, and take collaborative action to resolve minority-related issues at the local level.
14. 84 community awareness sessions attended by 2435 individuals increased understanding of key human rights issues affecting minorities and the way forward to address them.
15. 57 lobby meetings facilitated informed dialogue with politicians and legislators, and increased their realization regarding key demands of religious minorities for further action.
16. 11 conferences, conventions, peoples assemblies attended by 1190 participants brought together politicians, civil society and minority stakeholders that strengthened ownership of informed recommendations, build working consensus on affirmative measures, and highlighted the performance of political parties against their commitments to address the marginalization and exclusion of religious minorities.