Interview with Tahir Iqbal, Executive Director, Legal Rights Forum
Izza Rizvi: Please tell us about Legal Rights Forum and your motivation to work there.
Tahir Iqbal: Legal Rights Forum (LRF) constantly works for human rights and the rule of law and aims to promote justice and these are the causes that I want to pursue.
Q2: What are the long-term objectives of your organization?
TI: The basic purpose of LRF is to work for human rights, especially the rights of women and children, the most marginalized and deprived groups of our society. Our goal is to strengthen the position of such groups. We are also in the process of developing a road-map for strengthening the rule of law and enhancing the criminal justice system with the assistance of governmental departments so that the whole country may benefit.
Q3: Have you faced any challenges while running your organization?
TI: Not necessarily, as we have established good working relations with the government and relevant stakeholders. This helps ensure smooth collaboration.
Q4: Do you require a lot of financial support in order to attain the goals of your organization?
TI: As we are working directly with government institutions, we do not need to crowdsource or collect funds from local areas.
Q5: To what extent have you digitalized the operations of your organization and how inclined are you to adopt new technologies for a more efficient running of your organization, especially with regard to providing justice to people?
TI: The use of technology, mobile applications, consolidation of data, case-flow management systems and recording of evidence through the use of such applications are all really good initiatives to ensure better running of any system, including the justice system. We are also utilizing such digital tools and software to assist us in ensuring transparency and smooth running of LRF.
Q6: What are career prospects like for law students within such organizations?
TI: Working for human rights attracts many students from different law colleges to join us and at the same time the busy schedule of many students also keeps them from participating in discussions and research forums. LRF and similar organizations provide students with a good opportunity to analyze and address the grievances of the deprived and the failure of the system to grant relief. Law students are made to realize that they are like doctors who have to heal societal rifts.
Q7: Do you foresee your organization expanding in the near future?
TI: We hope LRF will expand as an institution promoting and protecting human rights. We plan to work on more awareness programs as well.
Q8: Any advice for law students?
TI: I strongly suggest that students try to join organizations such as LRF and the Human Rights Commission as interns in order to have a platform to learn more. Other such organizations include the Sindh Commission on Human Rights, the National Human Rights Commission and the Federal Ministry of Human Rights.
The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of CourtingTheLaw.com or any other organization with which they might be associated.
