Category: Blogs

Consultations on WASH Rights by Gender Mainstreaming Standing Committee of Punjab Assembly to Engage Legislators for Universal Access to WASH Rights

The Punjab government has earmarked Rs 57.477 billion to improve the water supply and sanitation infrastructure in the province during FY 2017-18. As part of Strengthening Participatory Organization’s (SPO) ‘Engage Legislators for Universal Access to WASH Rights’ initiative’,Standing Committee Gender Mainstreaming meet on WASH Rights and Budget 2018, yesterday at a local hotel. The purpose of these consultations was to be inclusive of Women Parliamentarians in the WASH legislative process to take the WASH agenda forward into the parliamentary domains in future. Main highlights of the meeting were discussion on proactive engagement of legislators and political leaders in facilitating legislative collaborations, advocacy and lobbying for gender inclusive WASH, as a fundamental right of women. The meeting established priority status for WASH rights and gender mainstreaming in WASH Rights and Punjab Budget 2018. (Left-to-Right, Bottom Row) Shameela Aslam MPA- PMLN, Ramesh Singh Arora – Chief Executive Mojaz Foundation and MPA – PMLN, Faiza Malik MPA PPP. (Left-to-Right, Top Row) Shamim PML-N, Nighat Sheikh MPA- PMLN, Javeria MPA-PMLN, Raheela Khadim Hussain – Chairperson Standing Committee Gender Mainstreaming, Tehseen Fawad MPA-PMLN, Dr. Nausheen Mamid MPA-PTI, Shahnawaz Khan – Regional Coordinator SPO Lahore. The Committee Meeting was chaired by Raheela Khadim Hussain – Chairperson Standing Committee Gender Mainstreaming, Shahnawaz Khan represented SPO at the meeting.  

Proposal of skill development courses in District Sukkur and Jacobabad

CALL FOR PROPOSAL SPO invites recognized/ certified institutes and organizations for the proposal of skill development courses in District Sukkur and Jacobabad. Interested firms are requested to submit their sealed quotations by 08th February, 2018 on or before 1700 hrs. SPO has the right to accept or reject any or all bids without assigning any reason thereof, Proposal Documents: Organization/ Institute/ Firm Profile Technical/Vocational Registration Certificate along with trade details Training Plan for each trade/s Availability of infrastructure, equipment Requisite experience in proposed trade/s Details of trainers and their experience in proposed trade/s Per Learner training cost with details including Trainer cost, material cost, utility cost, transportation cost should be separately mentioned (Note. all regular taxes as per FBR, etc. would apply) Details of Material to be provided to Learner Details of facilities to be provided to registered learner Any other value added services offered by firm/s. Finalized trades: Plumber and Water motor repairing, 05 months; Auto mechanic (Bike) repairing, 06 months; GERERAL TERMS & CONDITIONS: Specify National Tax Number (NTN) and SRB, Attach copy of Proprietor’s CNIC. Mention Address & Contact Numbers of Business. Bank Account should be same as business name. Include WHT and Sales Tax in quoted rates (If applicable). Vendor/Supplier should be registered with the Government of Pakistan. Separate Technical Specifications should be provided for each category. A vendor/supplier can apply for one or more tenders. The sealed bids with vendor profile, sample items (if required) and 5% of the total amount as refundable earnest money should be submitted along with the bid on the date mentioned in the advert. The Vendor shall provide an invoice in accordance with the issued purchase order along with delivery challan signed by the individual receiving the items. The vendor(s) will issue a numbered receipt when they receive the payment/installment. If the numbered receipt is not available, a receipt on his/her letterhead, acknowledging the payment will be obtained. Earnest money to be released upon successful completion of contract. Delivery times and sizes of each supply batches shall be clearly indicated in the Purchase Order. Agreed delivery time should be strictly followed. In case of breach / delay in delivery, deductions up to 1% of the total amount on 3 days, up to 5% on 7 days delay and termination of Purchase Order beyond this period. The contract can be suspended or cancelled at the sole discretion of SPO and all payments to the vendor / supplier forfeited. SPO will be at liberty to award the contract for any remaining unsupplied quantities to any other parties at the risk and cost of the supplier. The general conditions should be read together with the technical specifications. Inspection of goods by SPO may be done before delivery and at the time of delivery at distribution point. In case of dispute between the parties, the same shall be referred for arbitration under Pakistani law, and the award in such arbitration shall be final and binding. The bidder(s) can also mention any specific condition, which shall be taken into consideration before the award of supply orders. Goods to be delivered at the designated warehouses of the organization as/if mentioned in the tender. If any bidder requires clarification on any technical specifications or general conditions, he/she must do so in writing. All such queries should be addressed to Mr. Kashif Hussain, Secretary Procurement Committee, SPO on kashif@spopk.org within 3 working days of publication of the advertisement. Bids should be addressed to: Procurement Committee Strengthening Participatory Organization, 1st Floor, Plot No. 05-C, Bazaar No. 06, Street No. 169, Sector G-13/3, Islamabad. Phone: 051 –2301221-2; 2301226-7

Dialogue on Pakistan Protection Ordinance

SPO through its Political Parties’ Steering Committee organized a dialogue on Pakistan Protection Ordinance. The event held in Karachi was attended by more than 100 participants from government, civil society, political parties, media and Bar Council. Federal Ministry of Law, Justice and Human Rights was represented by a Director. President of Women Lawyers Forum Ms. Noor Naz Agha made a presentation on legal aspects of the proposed law. Mr. Javed Jabbar discussed the broader perspective of democracy and pro-citizen legislation. Senior leaders of mainstream political parties shared their views about the law. Most of the participants expressed their concerns and said that the law infringes fundamental rights accorded in the Constituti0on of Pakistan and Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

SPO has changed the Civil Society landscape of Pakistan. Country Director UNDP The history of community development cannot be written without referring to the work and approaches tested and pioneered by SPO. Partner Organizations applause

Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO) has changed the civil society landscape of Pakistan. Country Director United Nations Development Program (UNDP) congratulated the executive, management and employees of the organization for their never ending zeal and fervor in realizing the true spirit of change, as a means towards sustainable grassroots development. Speaking at the 20years of Celebrations of SPO he added that it is very easy to start an organization but it is always hard to establish and sustain.

Our Mission

To strengthen and support community organizations and public interest institutions of Pakistan for the benefit of poor and disadvantaged sections of society for sustainable development through a participatory approach.

Our Vision

A democratic, socially just and tolerant society guided by participatory principles, which realizes the full potential of its people and their aspirations for sustainable and self reliant development.