The Federal Government of Pakistan established, the full fledge, Ministry of Human Rights in November 2008. While the announcement of the creation of National Human Rights Commission was made in 1993, in the tenure of the caretaker Government, need was felt for establishment of a Human Rights Cell. This cell established in December 1993, Muhtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed, the former Prime Minister for Pakistan and an ardent advocate for democracy and for the human rights of the most vulnerable sections of society, particularly women, children and minority rights, upgraded this Human Rights Cell to the status of an independent Ministry in November 1995. However in December 1996, due to serious financial crisis in the country, the Ministry was degraded to Human Rights Wing which was attached to the Ministry of Law and Justice making it the Ministry of Law, Justice and Human Rights. The same wing was upgraded to the level of a Division in November 2007 and then to the current Ministry of Human Rights.
In the very first year of its infancy stage, while gaining energy and learning to fly on lesser powerful wings, the Ministry has so far paved its way enough to establish trust among the international NGOs and donors including UNDP, The Asia Foundation and UNICEF. With the appreciated and anticipated support, the Ministry looks forward to converting its vision into reality.
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