Society for Human Rights and Prisoners Aid (SHARP) is a non-profitable, non-political and non-governmental organisation (NGO) established on 11 March 1999. SHARP in partnership with UNHCR has set up legal aid centres in KP, Punjab, Sindh provinces and Islamabad Capital Territory. Through these legal aid centres, SHARP provides legal aid assistance to Afghan refugees and asylum seekers. It also provides support to prisoners.
The aim of the organisation is to create awareness about human rights, eradicate injustice through the legal empowerment of general masses, child protection and juvenile justice. It supports formal and informal access to justice through networking with the legal fraternity and the provision of legal assistance, promotes safe migration to reduce human trafficking, promotes positive social behaviour by encouraging health, hygiene and WASH education, promotes the spirit of volunteerism through youth participation, promotes the adherence to and effective implementation of CEDAW, develops human capital through formal and informal education, skill development and vocational training, and strengthens emergency response through DRR and effective DRM.
Roles/tasks in the project
The SHARP team will contribute to Work Packages (3,5,7,8), and will take an especially active role in WP 5. In WP 5 SHARP is contributing to empirical research, the collection of life histories, the stakeholder mapping and the organisation of a workshop and in person briefings in Pakistan.
Team members involved in the project
Mr Mudassar Javed: Project Director /Project Lead/LEAR
Mr Mudassar Javed, the Project Director of SHARP-Pakistan brings with him an academic background in anthropology with exceptional interpersonal skills as well as over 15 years of work experience in project management, sexual and reproductive health and rights education(SRHR), sexual and gender-based violence(SGBV) M&E, research, advocacy and communication, networking and relationship management, human trafficking. The Director provides overall management and leadership to the organisation in accordance with direct guidelines of senior management; working closely with diverse teams, various stakeholders, including institutional partners and networks as well as engaging with the wider philanthropic sector and donor agencies. He also oversees finance, administration and infrastructure whilst promoting best practice and ensures quality. His role focuses on expanding the reach and impact of the capacity-building work of the organisation to achieve its vision of a strong and sustainable human rights friendly society. He has vast experience working closely with refugees, asylum seekers, IDPs, prisoners, women and children.
Mr Liaqat Banori: Chief Executive Officer
The CEO of SHARP-Pakistan, Mr Liaqat Banori, is a lawyer by profession, honoured with the Presidential Award “Defender of Human Rights” for his commitment and services to humanity.
Having over 30 years of experience in the field of human rights and law, he was also the chief editor of the first legal magazine of Pakistan with the name AL-QANOON (The Law Journal). The magazine is often presented in the court of law as reference in many legal cases. Mr Banori is also a columnist and has regularly been giving his thoughts on various socio-political issues in leading newspapers and regularly appears on TV as an expert on Pakistan. Mr Banori is also an elected Chair for Refugee Rights Network (RRN-Pakistan), which directly contributes towards the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN).
Ms Aasia Niazi: IT specialist
Ms Niazi works as IT and Data Specialist with SHARP-Pakistan. She has a vast experience of working with local and international organisations in different roles. Her skills include data analysis, IT, web development, content writing, etc. She holds a local and a foreign Master’s degree.