Our Mission
CFHR promotes action-oriented research, policy advocacy, and legal reform on a range of issues in Pakistan and beyond, with the central goal of amplifying unvalued perspectives and unheard voices to ensure that those on the periphery are included in all policy decisions affecting them.
Core Values
We are guided by a commitment to integrity, inclusivity, and impact.
We adopt a multidisciplinary approach to human rights advocacy, ensuring that marginalised voices are not only heard but actively shape policy and legal discourse. Our values reflect our dedication to equitable, evidence-based, and forward-thinking solutions to the most pressing governance and human rights challenges.
Inclusivity
Upholding the principles of equity and representation by ensuring that marginalised communities, including women, youth, and vulnerable groups, are at the forefront of decision-making processes.
Youth & Women Leadership
Maintaining CFHR’s identity as a youth and women-led organisation, creating opportunities for meaningful participation and leadership within the human rights sector.
Innovation
Harnessing research on emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, and digital tools to address evolving human rights and governance challenges.
Evidence-Based Advocacy
Conducting rigorous, empirical research to inform policy discourse and legal reform, ensuring that human rights protections are rooted in substantive, data-driven analysis.
Ethical Practice
Adhering to the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability, ensuring that advocacy is conducted with fairness and sound judgement.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Facilitating cross-sectoral engagement with academia, civil society, government institutions, and international organisations to drive sustainable and impactful reforms.
Areas of Expertise
Our expertise spans across a broad spectrum of human rights & governance issues.
Advocacy Campaigns
Notable campaigns include the Kantee Na Lagao Campaign, Rights & Delights Campaign, Ijaazat Campaign, 16 Days of Activism, and Know-Your-Rights Media Campaigns.
Capacity Building
Through training workshops, seminars, and advocacy campaigns, CFHR increases awareness on human rights issues.
Climate Justice & Environmental Rights
We advocate for climate justice, focusing on sustainable policies, climate-induced displacement, and the impact of climate disasters on vulnerable communities, including the aftermath of the 2022 floods on Pakistan’s criminal justice system.
Governance, Peace & Security
We maintain and expand partnerships with key organizations and initiatives such as The Alliance of NGOs on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice and the Civil Society Regional Network for UNTOC Implementation (NET4U-Asia) to enhance collective action on human rights challenges.
Human Rights & Social Justice
Our focus includes gender-based violence (GBV) advocacy, marriage rights reform, and advancing transgender rights. We protect refugee rights and promote digital rights to ensure online safety for marginalized communities.
International Cooperation
CFHR leads initiatives to combat trafficking in persons (TIP), smuggling of migrants (SOM), and firearms trafficking. We work towards strengthening fair trial rights, advocating for legal reforms in anti-terrorism courts, and enhancing international cooperation on transnational organized crime.
Legislative Review
CFHR conducts rigorous legal analysis to address gaps and strengthen legislative frameworks, ensuring better protection for marginalized communities. Legislation reviewed includes:
- Prohibition of Corporal Punishment Bill, 2014
- Child Marriage Restraint (Amendment) Bill, 2014
- Acid & Burn Crime Bill, 2014
- Disabled Persons Employment and Rehabilitation (Amendment) Act, 2014
- Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010
- The Trafficking in Persons Act, 2018
- The Smuggling of Migrants Act, 2018
Policy Research
We develop policy reviews, reports, and handbooks to inform public discourse, shape policies, and drive systemic legal reform, addressing key human rights issues.
Technology & Artificial Intelligence
CFHR promotes ethical AI development through the Institute for Responsible AI & Human Rights. We explore the intersection of technology, human rights, and governance, ensuring that emerging technologies respect fundamental rights.
Youth Engagement & Empowerment
CFHR empowers youth through clinical legal education, moot courts, symposiums, and academic competitions. We publish the Human Rights Review (HRR) and Human Rights Blog to engage and inform emerging leaders.
Our core team
A dedicated collective of professionals committed to advancing human rights through research, advocacy, and action.
Umar Mahmood Khan
Sevim Saadat
Ali Imtinan
Seher Aftab
Beenish Zia
Sidra Sadozai
Shakeel David
Directory of experts
A trusted network of specialists and thought leaders we engage with to provide expert insights and strategic guidance on key initiatives.
Anam Tariq
Ashal Nadeem
Dr. Sayyed Asad Hussain
Faizan Khan
Fatima Mehmood
Haris Ahmad Khan
Maham Kashif
Mehak Adil
Sajal Khan
Urmana Chaudhry
Uzma Nazir Chaudhry
Our partners
We collaborate with leading local and international partners to advance human rights, strengthen legal education, and drive impactful change.
American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative
And The Nerve
Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law
Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
Centre for Governance and Research
Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines
Council of Islamic Ideology
Fahad Hussain
Generations
Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime
Ishtiraq
Kinnaird College for Women
Mahidol University
Mashion
Mirpur University of Science and Technology
Musawi
National Police Bureau
Network of Organizations Working for People with Disabilities
Ogilvy Pakistan
Pak Media Foundation
Pakistan College of Law
Quaid-i-Azam University
Rahat Bakers
Research Society of International Law
SZABIST
Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University
TwoTamatar
UNODC Civil Society Unit
United Nations Development Programme
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
United States Embassy
Universal College Lahore
Will n Way
Our History
CFHR was founded by law professors at Universal College Lahore to bridge the gap between research, policy, and practice in Human Rights
CFHR was incorporated as a private limited company
CFHR and GCR launch Centre for Governance and Human Rights (CGHR) to expand regional impact on rights, governance, and security.
CFHR develops innovative strategies to address contemporary human rights challenges. It has published journals, policy papers, and research reports, led advocacy campaigns, and hosted legal fellows. Through legal clinics, moot courts, and interdisciplinary training, it supports emerging human rights defenders. Engaging lawyers, parliamentarians, judges, government bodies, and justice actors, CFHR drives evidence-based interventions through consultations, workshops, and conferences. It has contributed to combating trafficking, smuggling, firearms proliferation, and promoting fair trial rights in Anti-Terrorism Courts. Its climate justice work examines displacement and legal responses to environmental crises, while the Institute for Responsible AI & Human Rights promotes ethical innovation. Through publications, campaigns, and international collaborations, CFHR shapes policy, strengthens protections, and advances systemic reform grounded in integrity and inclusion.
In 2025, CFHR, in partnership with the Centre for Governance and Research (GCR), registered the Centre for Governance and Human Rights (CGHR), a non-profit organisation. CGHR builds on over a decade of commitment and work undertaken by CFHR and CGR, including research, advocacy, and capacity-building on governance, peace and security, human rights and social justice, climate change and youth empowerment. Established with the combined expertise and legacy of CFHR and CGR, CGHR aims to expand the scope and sustainability of impact-led human rights, governance and security initiatives across Pakistan and the region.
2021
Incorporated as a private limited company and it continues to be housed at UCL
2021
Incorporated as a private limited company and it continues to be housed at UCL
2021
Incorporated as a private limited company and it continues to be housed at UCL
CFHR develops innovative strategies to address contemporary and emerging human rights challenges. It has produced eight volumes of its journal, published policy papers and research reports, conducted advocacy campaigns, and hosted legal fellows. Through clinical legal education, moot courts, and interdisciplinary training, CFHR cultivates future human rights defenders. Engaging lawyers, parliamentarians, judges, government bodies, and justice sector actors, CFHR drives evidence-based interventions via consultations, workshops, symposiums, and conferences. It has played a key role in combating trafficking, smuggling, and firearms proliferation, while advocating for fair trial rights and due process in Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Courts.
Our work in climate justice examines displacement and the justice system’s response to environmental crises, while the Institute for Responsible AI & Human Rights promotes ethical innovation. Through high-impact publications, campaigns, and international collaborations, CFHR continues to shape policy, strengthen protections, and drive systemic reform with a steadfast commitment to integrity, inclusivity, and impact.
Local Action, Global Impact
We work across Pakistan, driving legal reform, advocacy, and policy change to protect human rights and empower communities.