The Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services, in collaboration with Oxfam, conducted a two-day Consultation on National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights at PIPS, Islamabad. The two-day consultation aimed to generate key ideas concerning the legal and policy dimensions of home as well as host state duties and their implications for the guiding principles of business and human rights. Participants belonging to the Civil Society, National and Provincial Assemblies, Human Rights Department of Federal and Provincial Governments, Media Personnel and Human Rights Experts engaged in an insightful and in-depth knowledge sharing discussion during the two days.
Federal Minister for Human Rights, Mumtaz Ahmad Tarar, was the Chief Guest of the inaugural session. He assured his undeterred support for matters pertaining to legislation in this regard. Provincial Secretaries of Human Rights of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan shared the progress and steps taken in respective provinces ensuring and protecting Human Rights in the context of Business. Member National Assembly Mr. Shehryar Afridi and Mr. Sajid Nawaz also addressed the participants of the Consultation. Mr. I.A. Rehman, Human Rights Expert, remained the highlight of the event as he reflected upon the guiding principles of NAP on Business and Human Rights and the way forward.
The second day of the consultation comprised two plenary sessions: ‘Role of Parliament in Protection of Human Rights’ and ‘70 years of UDHR, time to reimagine new frontiers of human rights’. Highlights from day one were thoroughly shared by Director Research & IT PIPS Mr. Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka who also moderated the sessions in these two days. The first session of the day was chaired by Secretary National Commission for Human Rights, Mr. Mashood Ahmad Mirza, with key note speakers Program Director Oxfam Mr. Adeel Qaiser and DG Ministry of Human Rights Mr. Kamran Khan Ranjar. Mr. Kamran Khan Ranjar emphasized on the importance of role and duties upon civil society and their impact in long run. The second session was chaired by Chairperson/Member of Provincial Assembly Sindh, Mr. Sachal Shah and Member Provincial Assembly Punjab Mr. Ramish Singh Arora.
During the concluding session, way forward and recommendations were drawn which resulted after the two day insightful discussions among various stakeholders. Reflecting on the discussion taken place during the two day consultation, Executive Director PIPS, Mr. Zafarullah Khan emphasized on the importance of such consultations in bridging the gaps and effective implementation of laws regarding human rights in Pakistan.
Chairperson of Standing Committee of National Assembly on Human Rights, Mr. Babar Nawaz Khan also participated in the concluding ceremony ensuring support from legislators regarding the NAP on Business and Human Rights in Pakistan.