Together for Tolerance: Strengthening Minority Rights and Inclusion
Mapping of Minority Rights Landscape (Socio-Economic & Cultrual Rights)

Terms of Reference (TOR) for Consultant

Background and Context:

Parliamentarians Commission for Human Rights (PCHR), supported by the European Union, is implementing the project titled “Together for Tolerance: Strengthening Minority Rights and Inclusion”. This project targets selected districts in Sindh and Punjab, Pakistan, with the goal of fostering an inclusive, equitable, and tolerant society where religious minorities have equal access to legal, social, and economic rights, leading to mutual respect among communities.

The study aims to assess the status of socio-economic and cultural rights for religious minorities in Pakistan. Despite the constitutional safeguards and affirmative actions provided by the Constitution of Pakistan (1973), such as quotas for minorities in employment and education, resource allocation, and management of communal properties, significant gaps remain in the implementation of these rights.

This study will evaluate the practical impact of these provisions and identify challenges to the full inclusion of minorities in socio-economic and cultural spheres.

Objective of the Study:

The study aims to comprehensively map the implementation of religious minority-specific policies, initiatives, and affirmative actions at both federal and provincial (Sindh & Punjab) levels. The study will assess:

• Socio-economic and cultural rights of minorities

• Implementation of affirmative actions (e.g., job quotas, educational access, welfare schemes)

• Resource allocation for minority rights

• Management of minority communal properties

The findings will identify gaps in policy implementation and provide recommendations to improve the inclusion of religious minorities.

Scope of Work

The consultant will be responsible for:

Review of National and Provincial Policy Frameworks

• Analyze federal policies, focusing on initiatives by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Law, Justice and Human Rights, Ministry of Education, and Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) related to communal property management.

• Review provincial policies in Punjab and Sindh, including but not limited to:

• Punjab’s 2% higher education quota for minorities

• Punjab Minority Empowerment Package

• Provincial Human Rights Policy 2021

• Sindh’s Protection of Minorities Act and relevant initiatives

Data Collection and Analysis

• Conduct quantitative and qualitative data collection on job quotas, scholarships, and resource allocation in both Punjab and Sindh.

• Collect data on the management of communal properties by the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) and provincial counterparts.

• Analyze the data to assess the implementation and effectiveness of the relevant policies.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Engage key stakeholders at federal and provincial levels, including the Ministry of Human Rights, Religious Affairs, Law and Education, as well as relevant Human Rights and Minority Affairs Departments.

• Conduct Key Informant Interviews (KII) and In-depth Interviews (IDIs) to gather diverse perspectives on the policies and their impact.

Reporting and Documentation

• Prepare a detailed report with findings, analysis, and practical recommendations to improve policy implementation and minority inclusion in socio-economic and cultural domains.

• Deliver both an Inception, draft Report and a Final Comprehensive Report.

Deliverables

1. Inception Report: Methodology, outlines of the study, data collection tools, and timeline.

2. Draft Report: comprehensive draft report for review of the Project team

3. Final Report:comprehensive report containing findings, analysis, and actionable recommendations for improving the implementation of minority rights policies.

Key Responsibilities of the Consultant

• Conduct a thorough review of relevant laws, policies, and programs.

• Design and implement a strategy for data collection (surveys, interviews, FGDs).

• Analyze data to assess the effectiveness of minority rights policies.

• Engage with stakeholders at federal and provincial levels.

• Prepare and submit detailed reports with practical recommendations.

Qualifications and Experience

The consultant should possess the following qualifications and experience:

Education:

• Master's degree or higher in Social Sciences, Law, Human Rights, Public Policy, or a related field.

Experience:

• 5-7 years of experience in research related to human rights, minority rights, or socio-economic inclusion.

• Proven expertise in data collection and analysis (both qualitative and quantitative).

• Familiarity with the social and cultural context of religious minorities in Punjab and Sindh.

• Strong knowledge of legal framework and state of minority rights, including federal and provincial policies.

Duration of Consultancy

The consultancy will span 3 months from the date of contract signing.

Reporting Line and Communication

The consultant will report to the Project Director and Project Coordinator and will maintain regular communication with the designated person of the hiring organization.

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Relevant experience and qualifications

• Understanding of the study’s scope and objectives

• Methodological approach and work plan

• Budget and cost-effectiveness

• Proposed timeline and deliverables

Budget and Payment Terms

The consultant’s fee will be based on the agreed budget. Payments will be made in installments upon completion of the following milestones:

• 30% upon submission and approval of the Inception Report

• 40% upon submission and approval of the Draft Report

• 30% upon submission and approval of the Final Report

Confidentiality and Ownership of Work

All data, reports, and materials produced during this consultancy will remain the intellectual property of the hiring organization. The consultant must ensure strict adherence to the priciple of confidentiality throughout the study.