Pakistan

On 28 May 2004, General Pervez Musharraf, President of Pakistan announced his intention to establish a National Commission on Human Rights. This announcement followed the submission by the Parliamentarians Commission on Human Rights of Pakistan (PCHR) of a concept paper on the establishment of a national human rights institution to the President, Prime Minister, Law Ministry and the leadership of the ruling party.

In October 2004 the Pakistan Cabinet approved the PCHR’s concept paper. A draft National Commission for Human Rights Bill was presented to the National Assembly in February 2005. The Bill has been referred to the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Law, Justice and Human Rights for further consideration and deliberations.

APF visit to Pakistan, 2005

In response to an invitation from the PCHR, the APF sent a delegation to Pakistan from 29 August to 3 September 2005 to participate in a series of seminars and to discuss with key parliamentary, government and civil society stakeholders the nature and status of the proposed National Commission on Human Rights.

A report of the visit is available from the Downloads box on this page.

APF visit to Pakistan, 2008

On 17 December 2008, Pakistan's government’s introduced into the national parliament proposed legislation to establish a national human rights commission, with broad powers to promote and protect human rights in Pakistan. 

At the request of Pakistan’s ‘Parliamentarians Commission for Human Rights’, representatives from the Asia Pacific Forum and Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights travelled to Islamabad to participate in consultations on the bill on 18 and 19 December.

At these consultations the delegation highlighted:

• the requirement for a clear and transparent selection process for Commission members
• the capacity for the Commission’s membership to represent all social groups in Pakistan
• the capacity for the new institution to operate independently, and
• the need for the new institution to have financial security and autonomy.

A summary of key aspects of the National Commission on Human Rights Bill, relevant international standards and possible amendments for consideration is available from the Downloads box on this page.