**Pakistan’s Human Rights Task Force Calls for Accelerated Reforms to Protect Vulnerable Groups**
The Government of Pakistan’s Ministry of Human Rights convened the 8th meeting of the National Task Force on Human Rights, bringing together federal and provincial leaders to renew their commitment to safeguarding the rights of women, children, and minorities. The meeting, chaired by Federal Minister Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, focused on activating local human rights committees, expediting key legislative actions, and improving gender equality.
Key government departments—including Law, Interior, Foreign Affairs, Women Development, and Police—participated in the session. The Minister stressed the urgent need to operationalize District Human Rights Committees nationwide, highlighting the importance of sharing successful models and best practices between provinces to better protect vulnerable groups. This aligns with Pakistan’s constitutional obligations to ensure equal rights and protection for all citizens.
Participants reviewed the implementation of the National Action Plan for Human Rights, initially approved in 2016 and updated in 2020. Secretary of the Ministry of Human Rights Abdul Khalique Shaikh urged accelerated action on outstanding tasks, notably the enhancement of Treaty Implementation Cells in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and reactivation of provincial human rights task forces.
Provincial officials were pressed to expedite legislation banning child marriage and to complete the appointment process for members of the Provincial Commissions on the Status of Women within a month. Additionally, the chair called for the widespread distribution of the 2023 Federal Shariat Court’s ruling regarding legal marriage age, aiming to foster greater awareness and compliance.
To further advance gender parity, a special committee comprising federal and provincial secretaries was established. This committee will develop recommendations to improve Pakistan’s standing in the international Gender Parity Report.
The meeting concluded with a collective pledge from all attendees to strengthen human rights protections at the grassroots level, ensuring that reforms translate into meaningful changes for the country’s most at-risk populations.
