ABOUT US
The Business and Human Rights (BHR) movement is a global effort aimed at emphasizing the important role businesses have in promoting human rights. The United Nations Human Rights Council endorsed the UN Guiding Principles (UNGPs) on BHR in June 2011 which create a global standard for governments and businesses in relation to business and human rights. More specifically, the UNGPs are a set of guidelines for States and companies to prevent, address and remedy human rights abuses committed in business operations. In September 2021, the Government of Pakistan through a Cabinet decision approved a five-year National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAP on BHR) outlining the key priorities of the State in BHR. This was the first NAP on BHR published in South Asia.
This website is intended to serve as a resource for all persons, businesses, and other entities on Business and Human Rights in Pakistan. The website has been developed for the Ministry of Human Rights by the Centre for Human Rights at the Research Society of International Law. Support for this project has been provided by the United Nations Development Programme.
NATIONAL ACTION PLAN 2021-2026
Through the National Action Plan (NAP), Pakistan intends to provide a framework for the implementation of the UNGPs and ensure that the fundamental rights of its citizens are protected against adverse human rights impacts resulting from business activity. In addition to the protection of human rights, Pakistan also aims to strengthen its redressal mechanisms to ensure that victims are provided adequate remedies where business activity violates human rights.
RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS
The State
The state is the primary duty bearer under the human rights framework. The UNGPs under Pillar I establish the state duty to protect human rights which requires them to ensure the enforcement of existing legislative, policy or regulatory mechanisms seeking to protect human rights within business operations, and to establish such mechanisms where gaps exist.
Businesses
The UNGPs integrate businesses within the framework by establishing Pillar II: The Corporate Respect of Human Rights. This Pillar underlines the ways in which businesses may play an active role in protecting human rights by identifying their adverse human rights impacts and striving to mitigate them. This will be achieved in part with FPCCI
Civil Society
Civil society organizations can support both, the state and businesses. With the former, they can facilitate the government in understanding the extent of the problem, guide and assist departments in regulating businesses and help in enforcement of human rights standards. With the latter, they have a responsibility to hold businesses accountable where they abuse human rights without provision of effective remedy.
PARTNERS
Updates
25
January
2023
EVENTS
Multi-stakeholder event and Steering Committee Meeting, Islamabad
The various provincial consultations and stakeholder meetings culminated into the session on “Taking forward Business and Human Rights in Pakistan,” was conducted on January 24th and January 25th 2023 in Islamabad.
03
November
2022
EVENTS
Stakeholder meeting with business community, Sialkot
A meeting with the business community was held regarding the implementation of Pakistan’s NAP on BHR. Prominent business entities such as the Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sialkot, Pakistan Textile Council and several associations on sports, garments, and surgical instruments were invited to the event on November 3rd , 2022 in Sialkot.
26
September
2022
EVENTS
Multi-stakeholder event and meeting, Quetta
A two-day multi-stakeholder event and meeting session was conducted including a panel discussion on ‘Best Practices for Promoting Inclusive Implementation of Pakistan’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights’ and two meetings on ‘Way Forward for Implementation of Pakistan’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights’ on September 27th and September 28th 2022 in Quetta.
CONTACT US
The NAP on BHR in Pakistan was developed following a consultative and engaging process and received Cabinet approval in 2021. Since its launch, the Ministry of Human Rights has developed an action plan for enforcement and conducted various consultation and awareness sessions to ensure stakeholder engagement in the implementation process as well. To guarantee greater inclusivity and access, we welcome any recommendations to further implementation of the NAP on BHR here.
