An Orientation Seminar on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) was organized by PIPS’ Legislation Wing in collaboration with the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC), Pakistan. Ms. Samer Awais, Director Training PIPS, in her welcome speech thanked the leadership of ICRC for collaborating with the Institute in conducting this seminar for officials of National Assembly, Ministry of Law, Justice & Human Rights and Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services.

Seminar was conducted to highlight various aspects of International Humanitarian Law amongst the Legislative Drafters and Researchers. It consisted of sessions on the basics of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), its relevance to Pakistan, challenges and the way forward. Penalists included Mr. Najum ul Saqib, ICRC; Professor Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad, International Islamic University Islamabad; Mr. Muhammad Oves Anwar, Research Fellow at Research Society of International Law (RSIL) and Mr. Jamal Aziz, Research Fellow at Research Society of International Law (RSIL). Officials from National Assembly and Ministry of Law & Justice raised some pertinent questions about IHL and its implementation in Pakistan in current scenario. Mr. Reto Stocker, Head of ICRC delegation in Pakistan acknowledged the role PIPS is playing in facilitating a dialogue amongst stakeholders by conducting such events and urged the need to understand and implement IHL for the betterment of lives of people of Pakistan. Director Training – Ms. Samer Awais concluded the seminar by thanking the participants for generating debate on some core issues and stressed the need to build consensus amongst stakeholders about IHL’s application in Pakistan.