Strengthening District-level Human Rights Structures a Top Priority for the Sindh Government
Sidra Arif
Mirpurkhas
Mr. Rajveer Singh Sodha, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Sindh on Human Rights, Government of Sindh and Mr. Iqbal Ahmed Detho, Chairperson of the Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC), visited District Mirpurkhas to review the status of human rights protection mechanisms and engage with social support line departments and civil society stakeholders. The visit was part of broader efforts to safeguard Pakistan’s international commitment and obligations through strengthened rights-based governance by legal framework and institutional mechanisms.
As part of the visit, Mr. RAJVIR Sodha and SHRC team reviewed conditions of the District Prison Mirpurkhas. Team visited barracks and interacted with inmates behind bars, both convicted and under-trial prisoners, to assess their legal status and conditions related to accommodation, food, hygiene, healthcare, court hearings, and access to legal aid. While acknowledging the relatively clean environment, the delegation identified several areas requiring urgent attention. Expanding vocational and skills-based training programs to help inmates support their families post-release; enhancing recreational and educational opportunities within the prison; ensuring access to religious books for non-Muslim inmates; addressing the acute shortage of legal aid by recommending activation of the District Legal Empowerment Committee (DLEC); referring inmates in need of tertiary care to nearby health facilities without delay; and urgently introducing solar-powered energy solutions to improve the prison's energy infrastructure were key recommendations by the delegation.
In addition to the prison visit, a district-level multi-stakeholder consultation was held, chaired by Mr. Rajveer Singh Sodha and co-chaired by Mr. Iqbal Ahmed Detho. The meeting brought together representatives from government departments, civil society organizations, and academia to strengthen coordination on human rights promotion and protection in the region.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Rajveer Singh Sodha reiterated that strengthening human rights structures is a top priority of the provincial leadership of Sindh province. Mr. Iqbal Ahmed Detho underscored the significance of Pakistan's obligations and the recurring concerns raised by various stakeholders , including the shrinking civic space, limited protections for minorities, labor rights violations in the brick kiln sector , environmental degradation. He emphasized that the Human Rights framework is not merely requirement but a vital mechanism for upholding human rights standards in line with constitutional obligations. Mr. RAJVIR called for stronger civil society engagement and institutional accountability as key drivers for addressing these gaps.
During the discussion, civil society representatives raised critical issues, including the non-functionality of Dar-ul-Aman, the absence of a Juvenile &women's prison in the district, and the lack of effective complaint and redress mechanisms such as helplines. Concerns were also voiced regarding the rights of persons with disabilities and the alarming increase in drug use among youth due to social and economic pressures.
Towards the conclusion of the visit, the delegation met with senior divisional officials, including Mr. Faisal Uqaili Commissioner Mirpurkhas Division and Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) Mr. Muhammad Zubair Dreshak. The delegation was joined by Mr. Faisal Soomro, Additional Deputy Commissioner, and Mr. Rehan, Assistant Commissioner (KGM), Mirpurkhas, and shared key findings and recommendations to improve service delivery in alignment with human rights principles.
