(Publish from Houston Texas USA)
(Nazia Naz, Coordinator SACMS)
Today, Mr. Rajvir Singh Sodha, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister (SACM) on Human Rights, conducted official visits to women protection facilities in Karachi to review the human rights situation of women residing in shelters and safe homes. The SACM first visited the Al Dua Safe House, Korangi, which is jointly operated by Al Dua Relief Foundation and the Women Development Department (WDD), District Korangi. The purpose of the visit was to assess the living conditions, protection mechanisms, and overall human rights environment for women seeking shelter at the facility.
Mr. Sodha was warmly received by Assistant Director WDD, Mr. Imran Shaikh, along with Ms. Humaira, Chairperson of Al Dua Relief Foundation. On behalf of the management, a commemorative shield was presented to the SACM as a gesture of appreciation. During the visit, detailed briefings were provided regarding the services offered to survivors of violence, including shelter, legal aid, psychosocial support, and rehabilitation assistance.
The visit was also attended by Chairperson Sindh Commission on the Status of Women (SCSW), Advocate Rubina Brohi; Director Human Rights, Mr. Agha Fakhur Hussain, Nazia Naz, Coordinator SACMS, and other concerned officials. After reviewing the facility, Mr. Sodha directed the Director of Human Rights to ensure continued coordination, extend all necessary assistance, and strengthen mechanisms for the protection of women’s fundamental human rights within the safe house.
Later, the SACM visited Panah Shelter Home, located in Federal B Area, District Central Karachi, and operated by the Courage Development Foundation. The visit aimed to evaluate the shelter’s role in providing protection and rehabilitation services to women in distress. The Board of Trustees of Panah Trust, including Justice (R) Majida Rizvi (Chairperson), Mrs. Uzma Noorani (General Secretary), Mrs. Nadira Panjwani (Treasurer), and other members, welcomed the SACM and presented a comprehensive briefing on Panah’s longstanding services, institutional framework, and community-based rehabilitation programs.
Mr. Sodha highly appreciated the efforts of Panah Shelter Home in safeguarding vulnerable women and supporting their reintegration into society. He paid special tribute to Justice (R) Majida Rizvi, acknowledging her as a distinguished human rights defender and recognizing her lifelong struggle for the promotion and protection of women’s rights in Pakistan.
The visit reaffirmed the Sindh Government’s commitment to strengthening women protection systems through collaboration between government departments and civil society organizations. The Minister’s visit, reflecting continued coordination between human rights institutions and field-level initiatives.
