Cholistanis’ Land Rights: HRCP Denied To Hold Demonstration

News Desk

Lahore: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has been denied permission by the local civil administration in Bahawalpur to hold a peaceful demonstration and press conference to express its concerns over the allotment of land to non-residents in Cholistan.

Not only does this decision violate local Cholistanis’ right to freedom of peaceful assembly but it also seeks to undermine people’s demand that land in this area be allotted only to native Cholistanis in accordance with the law, said HRCP Chairperson Hina Jilani.

HRCP has continued to receive reports from Cholistan residents that their applications for allotment of the land they have been settled on for centuries have remained pending since 2018.

It is one of the principal grievances conveyed to HRCP during a fact-finding mission to the area in 2022 and a subsequent human rights camp held there in February 2023.

HRCP wishes to make it clear that it will not be deterred and will continue to stand with the residents of Cholistan and make every effort to ensure that their legitimate grievances are heard and resolved, maintained Jilani.