Pakistan

Pakistan’s standing NMIRF, known as the National Mechanism for Reporting and Follow-up (NMRF), is led by the Ministry of Human Rights. It includes federal and provincial representatives and is supported by a dedicated secretariat. The mechanism is active in reporting, coordination, and follow-up on international human rights obligations.

INSTITUTIONAL SETUP

The Ministry of Human Rights (MoHR) has established the "National Mechanism for Reporting and Follow-up" (NMRF), comprising an "Executive Committee for National Mechanism for Reporting and Follow-up" chaired by the Federal Secretary of the Ministry of Human Rights.

Composition

Federal and Provincial Ministries" Divisions, and Line Departments are represented in the NMRF Unit. including, but not limited to:

• The Federal Secretary, Ministry of Human Rights - Chairman
• Additional Secretary Ministry of Interior.
• Additional Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
• Additional Secretary Ministry of Commerce,
• Additional Secretary Ministry of Religious Affairs and lnter-Faith Harmony,
• Additional Secretary Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training,
• Additional Secretary Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination
• Additional Secretary Ministry of Planning. Development and Special Initiatives.
• Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Punjab
• Secretary (lmplementation and Coordination) Sindh
• Additional Chief Secretary (Home & Tribal) Affairs Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
• Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Balochistan
• lnspector General Police, Punjab
• lnspector General Police, Sindh
• lnspector General Police, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
• Inspector General Police, Balochistan
• Secretary Human Rights Department Sindh
• Secretary Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Department Punjab
• Secretary Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Human Rights Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
• Secretary Human Rights Department Balochistan
• Director General lC Wing, Ministry of Human Rights

The NMIRF includes focal points for Article 33(1) of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and from Gender Equality Mechanisms. f

Secretariat

The Director of the NMRF Unit, Ministry of Human Rights acts as Secretary of the Committee. It is currently overseen by an officer holding the additional charge of Director (IC).

Methods of work

Terms of reference and standing operating procedures are in place. The Ministry of Human Rights refers to UN Guidelines on each treaty bodies. Moreover, Rules of business and Secretariat instructions are the guiding principles for the Ministry of Human Rights to coordinate and consult with the relevant stakeholders.

Institutional knowledge is maintained to mitigate staff turnover. The new members on NMRFs usually have prior relevant work experience; however, no formal training is provided.

**Information specific to Federal Systems **

Information is obtained from the respective federal and provincial departments.

Challenges include lack of familiarity of some focal points with the subject matter in particular with reporting requirements. This concern has been raised by the Ministry of Human Rights. Additionally, it is frequently noted that junior officers are nominated as focal persons, which affects the quality and timeliness of responses.

There is also a need for an effective coordination system through an online information management tool (such as the Human Rights Information Management System (HRIMS) put in place with support from UNDP. In addition, there is a need for capacity building of NMIRF members including provincial stakeholders, standardized training, international exposure to human rights mechanisms, and strengthened data collection, analysis, and reporting.

MANDATE

The scope of the mandate includes:

• Reporting to UN Human Rights Mechanisms (UN Treaty bodies, Universal Periodic Review);
• Hosting visits of UN Special Procedures;
• Following up on recommendations from human rights mechanisms (Special Procedures, Treaty bodies, Universal Periodic Review);
• Providing human rights education and training and;
• Advocacy.

The NMIRF engages with UN Treaty Bodies, UPR, and Special Procedures. However, the mandate does not include engagement with Regional Human Rights Mechanisms. Reports are prepared by IC Wing officers under the Director IC. Coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Geneva Mission ensures alignment.

Process for the preparation of state reports

The Director IC at the Ministry of Hunan Rights leads the entire treaty reporting process. A committee of IC Wing desk officers, under the Director’s supervision, conducts consultations, collects data, and drafts reports or replies. Upon receiving the List of Issues from the relevant UN Treaty Body, MoHR prepares response matrices and shares them with provincial authorities. Designated officers then visit provinces to provide support. The Director IC also maintains regular coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Pakistan’s Mission in Geneva to ensure seamless communication and alignment - leaving no gaps in the process.

Regular meetings take place between federal and provincial stakeholders.

Channel of communication with the National Statistics Office

A senior official at the National Statistics Office serves as the Ministry of Human Rights' focal person and regularly provides relevant information as required.

Linkages with the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals

According to its terms of reference, the NMRF performs its functions in coordination with SDG implementation focal point (agency/Ministry). In practice, the implementation of SDGs at the national level is led by the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives (MoPD&SI). However, the Ministry of Human Rights provides updates on progress related to its mandate, particularly on SDG 5.

Channel of communication with the Parliament

The Standing Committee on Human Rights is regularly briefed on reporting progress and related matters. The Council Section of the Ministry of Human Rights coordinates with relevant parliamentary bodies to facilitate this engagement.

Coordination with the Judiciary

The NMIRF Secretariat coordinates with the judiciary, judicial academies, and the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan to obtain relevant data and includes them in consultative sessions and workshops.

Local and regional governments

Provincial governments through their representatives are part of NMRF Executive Committee. Information is obtained through formal correspondence, inter-ministerial and inter-provincial meetings, and consultations. As focal points in the national mechanism, provincial governments are also involved in follow-up and implementation. While the engagement with UN human rights mechanisms is the mandate of the federal government, provincial representatives are engaged through consultations, review meetings, and participation in delegations going to Geneva.

The Ministry of Human Rights established the Human Rights Information Management System (HRIMS) to integrate information including from provincial stakeholders and Treaty Implementation Cells, however, integration could not be achieved due to various challenges. National Action Plans on Human Rights and Business and Human Rights are in place. Needs include improved coordination, training, and data systems.

Executive Committee on NMRF- Ministry of Human Rights- Pakistan