APACHA Pakistan National Consultation took place from 28th May, 2008 to 30th May, 2008 in Lahore following a series of meetings, interactions, and discussions in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi and other parts of Pakistan. APACHA Asia regional coordinator Prabodh Devkota also participated in most of these consultative meetings. Addressing the national consultation meeting Devkota Said, "APACHA Pakistan has been one of the most active country chapters of APACHA. The way APACHA Pakistan is leading, we hope very soon we will establish ourselves as one of the alternative policy and advocacy institution in Pakistan. The way I have been receiving responses from state and non state actors on APACHA I am very happy. However, the true challenge for APACHA Pakistan is to maintain its energy and to meet people's expectations."
Mahwish Shaukat, one of the core members of APACHA Pakistan says, ''The purpose of this consultative meeting was to share about APACHA Pakistan and its activities, to develop strategic links with like minded actors, and to share APACHA activities with government, donors and UN agencies. In the mean time, these consultative meetings were also focused in having critical discussion on CCMs, the global fund, government HIV policies, care, support and treatment facilities in Pakistan".

According to the National coordinator of APACHA Pakistan Noor ul Zaman, "these consultative meetings have been instrumental in raising critical issues, identifying gaps and to develop collective energy to improve the HIV&AIDS situation in Pakistan".

“We have been able to maintain APACHA Pakistan as an alternative forum on HIV&AIDS and other solidarity social movements. Democratic space with APACHA and its vision and actions have been key factors to grow APACHA in Pakistan. We are coming up as alternative groups in social movements and brining alternative perspectives,” said, Daud Saqulin representative of Actionaid and the core member of APACHA Pakistan.

According to Dr. Umer of Concern World Wide, APACHA had conducted series of consultative meetings with networks, INGOS, governments and UN agencies and Concern World Wide facilitated most of these meetings. A group of INGOS support group including of Actionaid, Concern, CARE, and Plan has also been formed in Islamabad, this forum will connect with APACHA Pakistan and other like minded INGOs and their partners.

During the national consultation held in Lahore, where participants from all over the country came together, APACHA Pakistan reviewed its performance, achievements and areas to improve. One of the common satisfactions that the participants expressed was the visibility of APACHA Pakistan and its acceptance as an open space for people to have their say. The growing constituencies, increased visibility, increased policy and advocacy initiatives and initiatives to grow grassroots level organizations such as organization run by transgender, PLHA and sex workers have been some of the inspiring achievements of APACHA Pakistan.

During the meeting it was decided to strengthen the provincial level chapters of APACHA, to strengthen the communication system, develop strategic links with other like minded actors and proactively engage in overall policy issues. As many other APACHA country chapters, APACHA Pakistan will also focus on: Accountability and transparency, Access to care, treatment and support, women's rights and end violence against women, stigma and discrimination, meaningful participation of PLHA and other communities.

News Source: APACHA Pakistan