Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER) has been at the forefront for the enforcement of the constitutional and human rights of the people of Pakistan. For the purpose of the enforcement of such rights, PILER has used three mechanisms. Firstly, by spreading literacy about constitutional and human rights by various publications and public events. Secondly, by providing legal aid services through probono lawyers to various victims especially from the labour community. Thirdly, by using the remedy of Public Interest Litigations by filing public interest petitions before the High Courts and Supreme Court of Pakistan on various civil society issues including labour issues. It is through this remedy of Public Interest Litigation that PILER has been able to seek the enforcement of constitutional and human rights on a macro scale, or for a large group of people e.g. compensation and justice for the Baldia Factory Fire victims, Right to Education for the people of Sindh, Right to Electricity for the people of Karachi etc.

Mr. Rasheed A. Razvi is a former judge of the Sindh High Court, a leading Senior Advocate, a prominent leader of the lawyer’s community and a prominent personality in the fight for constitutional and human rights in Pakistan against military dictators. Equally importantly, Mr. Rasheed A. Razvi has been one of those few senior lawyers who throughout his legal career have consistently provided his legal services pro-bono to the poor and powerless especially the working class. It is Mr. Rasheed A. Razvi’s specific contribution for the poor and powerless by providing pro bono legal services and his contribution towards civil society issues especially labour issues through his involvement with PILER which needs recognition.

In view of the common struggle of PILER and Mr. Rasheed A. Razvi for the enforcement of the constitutional and human rights of the people of Pakistan, PILER has decided to establish the ‘Rasheed Razvi Centre for Constitutional and Human Rights’ as a project of PILER. The main purposes of the Rasheed Razvi Centre for Constitutional and Human Rights will be three fold. Firstly, seeking enforcement of such rights on a macro level, or for a large group of people, by filing Public Interest Petitions and cases before the High Courts and Supreme Court of Pakistan on various civil society issues including labour issues. Secondly, by providing legal aid services through probono lawyers to various individuals, organizations and victims especially from the labour community. Thirdly, by spreading literacy about constitutional and human rights by various publications and public events.