Syed Liaqat Banori

Syed Liaqat Banori, founder and team leader of Society for Human Rights and Prisoners Aid (SHARP). He has been the Chairman of the organization since its establishment in 1998. Mr. Banori started his career as student leader and was elected as Secretary General and President of his college in 1978-79 and 79-80 consecutively. He graduated with a law degree from Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan in 1983, then started a practice in Kohat (NWFP). In 1986-87 he was elected Secretary General of the Bar Association. He moved to Islamabad and started his legal practice and humanitarian activities in 1991. Soon after joining the Awami National Party (ANP), he was elected president of theIslamabad chapter. He remained the president of the ANP Islamabad Chapter from 1992 to 1998. In 1997 he was also elected vice-president of the Islamabad District Bar Association.

In order to serve the neglected class, Mr. Banori became a member of several NGO’s and started extending his free professional services to deprived people directly through NGO’s. In 1998 he established SHARP (Society for Human Rights and Prisoners Aid) after resigning from politics. Helping prisoners has always been his focal point. During visits to jails, police stations and custody centers he became aware of prisoners' issues and identified many people who could not afford lawyers to plead their cases.

Mr. Banori organized his activities by establishing SHARP in association with a number of lawyers and social workers. In April 1999 SHARP was registered under the Voluntary Social Welfare Act 1961. Under his dynamic leadership, SHARP became a big name in the national and international communities. The services provided by SHARP are far superior to those of other NGO's in numerous fields. Dedicated and determined, Mr. Banori has made a concerted effort to provide practical services to disadvantaged members of the community. SHARP's success is evident from its staff of 500 personnel that is working all over the country on various projects that are for the betterment of the common people.

Mr. Banori is the Chief-Editor of the monthly magazine Al-Qanoon. He initiated it after reflecting on the legal and political conditions of the people of Pakistan.

Mr. Banori has struggled throughout his life to create an equality based society and worked hard to solve the problems of common man.