International standards are often perceived as a recent phenomenon. They are not. Many predate the United Nations, with institutions such as the International Labour Organisation (ILO) established under the League of Nations, later becoming part of the UN system. Countries have long used these standards to strengthen governance, build credibility, and integrate into the global economy.

Pakistan has been one of them.

Over the decades, Pakistan has voluntarily become a party to numerous international treaties and conventions, incorporating many of their provisions into its Constitution, national legislation, and regulatory framework, including constitutional guarantees relating to fundamental rights, labour protections, and environmental governance.

However, it is important to recognise that becoming a party to an international treaty is a sovereign and voluntary decision. Pakistan undertook these obligations because they were considered consistent with its long-term governance and development objectives.

Today, the country is a party to well over 150 major international treaties, conventions, and protocols covering governance, trade, labour, human rights, environmental protection, maritime affairs, and other areas of international cooperation.

Far from being symbolic, these commitments strengthen market access, attract international investment, support development cooperation and trade negotiations, and enhance the confidence of global buyers in Pakistan’s regulatory framework. Importantly, many of them were undertaken decades before concepts such as ESG, carbon border measures, and due........

© Daily Times