Pakistani activist receives Commonwealth Points of Light Award

Staff Writer

Islamabad: Pakistani lawyer and activist Tahera Hasan received the Commonwealth Points of Light Award for her efforts promoting the wellbeing of orphaned, abandoned and stateless children this week. Points of Light Awards are given to outstanding individual volunteers who are making a positive change in their community.

Having been a strong supporter of adoption, Hasan specialises in family law and custody cases. She founded the Imkaan Welfare Organisation in 2012, which now runs a shelter and recreational centre for orphaned and abandoned children in Karachi’s Machar Colony, a squatter settlement home to nearly 700,000 people. Hasan has also set up a mother and child healthcare centre there.

In addition, Hasan helps in the adoption of orphans and stateless children, helping reduce both infanticide and child abandonment. Imkaan, she says, was found on the principle that “each and every child not only has the right to live but to thrive”.

Tahera Hasan said: “It is an honour and privilege to receive the Points of Light Award. It is a recognition for the work of all those involved on a day-to-day basis, highlighting and fighting for the rights of stateless and marginalised communities in Pakistan. The right to citizenship, identity and more specifically children’s rights, is a neglected subject. This award goes a step forward in bringing these issues to the forefront.”

UK High Commissioner to Pakistan Dr Christian Turner said: “Tahera is making a big impact on the lives of some of the most vulnerable children in Pakistan. This recognition of her work is a testimony to the long-standing and deep ties that UK, Pakistan and other Commonwealth nations share.”

The Commonwealth Points of Light Award runs in parallel with the UK Points of Light Award which has been in place since 2014 (the British Prime Minister makes an award and sends a letter to the recipient).

In the run up to the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, one outstanding volunteer from each of the Commonwealth nations was recognised with an award. Following the success of the programme, The Queen continues to award one volunteer from each country every week and sign a certificate for each winner. Awards are recommended by British High Commissioners in collaboration with Commonwealth nations.

In June 2020, the British High Commissioner Dr Christian Turner briefed The Queen on Pakistan’s Commonwealth Point of Light award winners, Huzaifa Ahmed and Hassaan Shah of the organisation Rizq to celebrate Volunteers’ Week.