Faisalabad: Naveed Walter president of Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP), renowned Human Rights Defender (HRD) is honored with Humanitarian Award 2022 a mark of recognition by National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP) a human rights body of Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Pakistan since 1985.

Bishop Indrias Rehmat, presented the award to Naveed Walter for the human rights work he started in 1988, when he was a college student and led Christian Students Organization against the religious discriminations and hatred against Christians and minority students. Then in 1994 Naveed Walter being founding president with likeminded students and groomed youth established HRFP with a mission to promote and protect human rights with special focus to religious minorities, women and children.

NCJP with jury is a remarkable recognition to HRFP on 20th August 2022 in the celebration of World Humanitarian Day 2022, in presence of the big audience belonging to civil society groups, religious, social, political and different stakeholders in the local hotel of Faisalabad. Naveed Walter’s colleague Shadman John received the award in his absence. 

The speakers and people from different fields congratulates and highly acknowledged HRFP and Naveed Walter’s services for the continuity of work from 29 years in their dedication and courageous struggle for making change in the society, target groups and in the situation of victimized individuals, even facing a lot of challenges and threats throughout during raising voice and advocacy efforts. Since its foundation, the organization has had numerous success stories.

Naveed Walter said that he has been honored with the mark of recognitions many times before also from national and international forums but the award receiving in his native city and where HRFP office located, is an honor and utmost appreciation.

Naveed Walter said further that they are committed with the vision to continue the efforts to make a change in society until the human rights of religious minorities and marginalized groups are restored according to the vision of the founding father of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, he added. He dedicated this award to religiously persecuted in Pakistan.

Naveed Walter being founding President of HRFP has addressed multiply on the issues of religious minorities and marginalized groups of Pakistan at local, national and international forums including United Nations and European Parliament and with unlimited struggle on grassroots levels as well.