The thematic group, comprising of various NGOs under the umbrella of International Organization for Migration launched a paper on 22nd June 2005, and resultantly the matter was put up with the government.

The thematic group, comprising of various NGOs under the umbrella of International Organization for Migration launched a paper on 22nd June 2005, and resultantly the matter was put up with the government.

Hence on 12th December 2005, SHARP was a proud member of the thematic group when the National Action Plan against Human Trafficking was launched by Mr. Aftab Ahmad Sherpao, Minister for Interior.

SAFRON STEERING COMMITTEE

SHARP is a member of Government of Pakistan, Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) Steering Committee for the rehabilitation of Earthquake affectees. The purpose of the committee is to discuss and try to overcome problems faced by the local and national NGOs in carrying out the relief work. SHARP extended its services to SAFRON and recognizing the relief work and services rendered by SHARP, SAFRON invited SHARP to become a member of its Steering Committee, specially devised for the earthquake victims.

The committee is comprised of ten dedicated members and SHARP is proud to be one of them. Through this committee, a liaison has been made to enable an easier delivery of the relief activities to the affected areas and people. This is done by setting periodic meetings with all the members coming from various provinces of Pakistan and they sit together in SAFRON office to tackle any hurdles and also to highlight any new issues which the members think are of concern.

SEXUAL ABUSER SENTENCED

Capt(R) Sharjeel, Principle of a private cadet college, who molested about 25 students of his college, was sentenced to seven years of imprisonment. Last year the case was reported but the culprit was at large. SHARP agitated and assured his arrest. After his arrest SHARP appointed a legal team, which pursued the case in the court of law and finally the accused is sentenced to seven years rigorous imprisonment.

STRIKE- INDIAN HIGH COMMISSION

SHARP held a peaceful demonstration before the Indian High Commission on 26th August 2005 in the Diplomatic Enclave for the release of hundreds of innocent Pakistani prisoners detained in Indian Jails. SHARP staff presented a memorandum to the Indian Political Counselor, Mr. Deepak Koal. The protest was organized for the release of approximately six hundred (600) innocent Pakistani Prisoners detained in Indian jails. Some of the reported prisoners have been detained since the past 12-20 years and one has also been reported dead in custody. The Pakistani media has published details of the prisoners with their identities.

SHARP believes in peace between the two countries and encourages peaceful resolution of long standing conflicts, harmony and brotherly relations. SHARP believes that the respective states have the responsibility to protect the rights of the people and avoid indulging them into victimization. SHARP presented in the memorandum a request for unanimously releasing the prisoners held in Indian & Pakistani jails and revive the same spirit of friendship as shown in the past. The Indian High Commission welcomed SHARP and appreciated its concern that it showed towards the Pakistani Prisoners in Indian Jails. The Ambassador committed himself to take positive steps towards solving this issue.

SHARP believes that this humanitarian action will not only be appreciated by the families of the detainees but will also promote goodwill among the neighboring countries. A family who had spotted their son in the pictures of the Indian jails, and had asked for the release of his long lost son contacted SHARP. The matter was discussed with the Indian High Commission and is under process. SHARP is grateful to Daily News and particularly Mr. Rauf Klasra for highlighting this important issue. SHARP believes that this humanitarian action will not only be appreciated by the families of the detainees but will also promote goodwill among the neighboring countries. A family who had spotted their son in the pictures of the Indian jails, and had asked for the release of his long lost son contacted SHARP. The matter was discussed with the Indian High Commission and is under process. SHARP is grateful to Daily News and particularly Mr. Rauf Klasra for highlighting this important issue.

NARA CARDS

Lack of coordination and conflict within the government agencies is a known fact in Pakistan. The government has established the National Aliens Registration Authority (NARA) to register and issue cards to illegal immigrants in Pakistan. However this has not been channeled to all the other related authorities and hence there is no consensus on this issue. The police officials are questioning the same cards which are being issued with the orders of the Government, and asylum seekers who have been given a proper NARA card are being arrested by the police officials and being detained in the police stations, until the cards gets verified by the police. Since this problem has cropped due to unawareness amongst the concerned authorities ALAC-SHARP has started campaign to make understand and inform the legal value of the document to the police and law enforcing agencies and holding meetings with the various police stations and officials to inform them about the credibility of the NARA cards.

SPEEDY JUSTICE

SHARP comprises of a team of competent and dedicated lawyers who have been assigned the task to provide free legal aid and legal advice to refugees and asylum seekers. To deliver these services and to provide them with speedy justice the lawyers also undertake refugee and asylum seekers cases to the courts and provide them with a durable solution through legal means. The refugees’ population anywhere in the world faces hardships and has to cope up with domestic problems, and therefore the majority of the court cases are of the nature of family disputes and other social-legal disputes. Females and children get abandoned by their husbands or fathers and they have no where to turn, especially the females remain hanging in regards to their legal status in the society, as neither she can remarry and nor have the surety that they have the guardianship of their children. SHARP team obtains speedy justice in such cases and gives a clearer picture of the legal status of a refugee family by obtaining a divorce decree or by issuing a guardianship certificate to the wife and/or mother respectively.

SHARP BONDS

SHARP also provides bail to the accused under minor offences and also to refugees who have been arrested under false allegations and have no means of defending themselves. However the procedure as given under s. 499 of Code of Criminal Procedure says:

“(1)Before any person is released on bail or released on his own bond, a bond for such sum of money as the police officer or court, as the case may be, thinks sufficient shall be executed by such person…”

A refugee being vulnerable owing to his status in the host country is unable to provide surety in the court be it personal or that of property. Hence to cope with this situation SHARP on it own initiative submits SHARP bonds for a speedy release in bail able cases.

EDHI SHELTER

One of the strategies that SHARP under takes is that of Networking and coordination among NGOs. As per this strategy SHARP shares a healthy liaison with Edhi Shelter Home. Since over a year SHARP has been referring Afghan and Asylum seekers cases to the shelter home and EDHI Shelter Home has been generous enough to accommodate all the refugees. Recently the EDHI Home in charge informed the ALAC team that due to Government instructions the shelter home can no longer facilitate the Afghan population living with them.ALAC-SHARP & UNHCR both held meetings with the EDHI Home, Islamabad and Karachi, where the Nature of Voluntary Repatriation was explained to them and also they were informed of the extension of Tripartite Agreement. These efforts proved to be fruitful and the EDHI Home agreed to facilitate the already residing Afghan population with them for an indefinite time.