Key Achievements

Over the decades, the Pakistan Institute of Human Rights (PIHR) has played a foundational role in shaping the legal, institutional, and human rights landscape of Pakistan—while also contributing to global jurisprudence and advocacy. Our work, driven by legal excellence and unwavering dedication to justice, has yielded significant national and international impact. The following highlights reflect our deep and sustained influence:

1. Legislative Drafting and Legal Reform
PIHR has been at the forefront of drafting and lobbying for the promulgation of transformative laws in Pakistan. Notably, we led the drafting and advocacy for the Ombudsman Law, a critical institutional reform ensuring administrative accountability and citizen redress. We were instrumental in drafting the expansion of Article 164 of the Law of Evidence, which enabled the inclusion of electronic evidence, aligning Pakistan’s legal system with modern technological standards. Also accountability and transparency laws and anti harassment legislature.

2. Advancing Judicial Review Doctrine
Our scholars and legal teams have made pivotal contributions to the expansion and deeper interpretation of judicial review, both within Pakistan and in comparative constitutional law globally. Through strategic litigation, legal thought leadership, and transnational dialogues, PIHR has advanced the doctrine of judicial accountability as a cornerstone of democratic governance.

3. Anti-Corruption & Accountability Frameworks
We played a central role in developing the National Accountability Ordinance, contributing directly to Pakistan’s evolving legal architecture on anti-corruption. Our influence extends to the drafting of multi-faceted anticorruption and accountability laws, establishing precedents for transparency and institutional integrity at multiple levels of governance.

4. Human Rights & Labor Law Reforms
PIHR has actively contributed to the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, a landmark law ensuring safer work environments for women across Pakistan. Additionally, we have played key roles in shaping numerous labor law reforms, particularly those safeguarding workers’ rights and formalizing employment protections in vulnerable sectors.

5. International Legal Development & Treaty Engagement
Beyond national borders, PIHR has participated in the development of international human rights conventions and treaties, working with global legal networks and multilateral bodies. We have also reviewed and advised on professional ethics frameworks, such as our work with the Government of Iraq to revise and strengthen its professional conduct laws for civil servants.

6. Strategic Legal Representation in High-Profile Cases
Our legal advocacy has extended to some of the most complex and politically sensitive cases of the last few decades. PIHR provided legal representation, strategy, and international advocacy that contributed to the release of Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, Pakistan’s top nuclear scientist, from house arrest and prosecution. We have also provided legal assistance and advisory services in the high-profile cases of Aimal Kansi and Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, offering internationally recognized counsel in matters involving extradition, state accountability, and due process.

7. Institutional Strategy for Government Bodies
In collaboration with public sector stakeholders, PIHR developed and finalized the training and development strategy for the Government of Punjab, aiming to enhance institutional capacity, ethics, and human rights compliance in public administration. This reflects our commitment not just to law, but to building ethical, rights-conscious institutions.