Pakistan’s First Five Year National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (2021-2026).

This National Action Plan (NAP) consists of 4 Chapters, namely: 1. National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights; 2. Protect, Respect, Remedy Framework; 3. National Action Plan Priority Areas and Proposed Actions; and 4. State Expectations of Business Enterprises.
The Introduction to the NAP discusses the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (Principles) and contains the statement of commitment to implement these Principles by the State of Pakistan. Chapter 1 lays down the five-phase process of the NAP, that is, (i) initiation; (ii) assessment and consultation; (iii) drafting; (iv) implementation; and (v) update. It also lists the 8 priority areas which includes Financial Transparency, Corruption and Human Rights Standards in Public Procurement Contracts; Anti-Discrimination, Equal Opportunity, and Inclusion; Human Rights Due Diligence; Labour Standards and the Informal Economy; Child Labour; Forced or Bonded Labour; Occupational Health and Safety; and Access to Remedy. Chapter 2 provides the 3 pillars to the Protect, Respect, Remedy Framework: I. State Duty to Protect Human Rights; II. Corporate Responsibility to Respect Human Rights; and III. Access to Remedy.
Chapter 3 provides eight general proposed actions followed by proposed actions under each of the 8 priority areas of the NAP at the Federal and Provincial level. Under each proposed action are suggested performance indicators, to measure the progress of implementation, as well as relevant UNGP(s) and SDG(s) against which the proposed actions are expected to deliver progress. Chapter 4 highlights the State’s expectations from business enterprises in ensuring compliance with and supporting the effective implementation of the NAP priority areas. These include compliance with domestic laws; elimination of child labour, forced or bonded labour; prevention of workplace discrimination and harassment; developing a comprehensive human rights corporate policy which includes protection for women and vulnerable or marginalised groups etc.