Roadmap for human rights conducted panels exploring freedom of electronic and print media, human rights crisis in Jammu and Kashmir, opportunities for women in the field of law, upholding the rule of law, the conflict in Afghanistan, and the global experience of women in the legal profession. The conference opened with a minute of silence to mark the expulsion of Mr Steven Butler, head of the CPJ Asia, from Pakistan. A number of foreign delegates highlighted their work with Asma Jahangir, and the centrality of human rights issues to sustainable development, the world over. The conference was well attended by eminent international speakers, lawyers, judges, students, journalists, political figures and ordinary citizens. The panel on Electronic and Print Media in Pakistan was moderated by Amber Shamsi and included Mr Owen Bennett-Jones, Ms Christina Lamb, Mr Shahidul Alam, Mr Cyril Almeida and Mr Hamid Mir. In his Keynote address Justice Isa mentioned that “a nation is not an abstract idea that we store for safe-keeping.” He highlighted the ideals of fundamental rights envisioned in the documents that define the essence of Pakistan, he concluded that even the Quaid-i-Azam urged “allegiance to the Constitution (its true and legal implications) and the Dominion of Pakistan”. The panel on Human Rights crisis in Jammu and Kashmir was moderated by the Pakistani journalist, Nasim Zehra and included Raja Farooq Haider the P.M of AJK, Hina Rabbani Khar, Victoria Schofield, Tariq Naqash and Mr Rafiq Dar. While Raja Farooq Haider acknowledged that there had been missed opportunities in Kashmir, in her remarks Ms Hina Rabbani Khar, the former Foreign Minister of Pakistan stated that Pakistan should continue to presevere on the path of moral high-ground. Eminent historian Victoria Schofield described the lives of Kashmiris as “the hopelessness of a people trying to exist in a society without the rule of law”.

The conference concluded with remarks by former Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, PML-N spokesperson Maryam Aurangzeb and PTI senior leader and MNA Monazza Hassan who commemorated Asma Jahangir and her commitment to human rights with a resolve to uphold the rule of law and struggle for women’s rights. “It was a rare moment when all parties were seen on the same platform,” said journalist Munizae Jahangir who was conducting the proccedings.