A NATIONAL action plan is defined as an “evolving policy strategy developed by the state to protect against adverse human rights impacts by business enterprises in conformity with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights”.

In June 2011, the United Nations Human Rights Council endorsed the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights to address adverse human rights impacts resulting from business activity. The UNGPs were the culmination of several years of consultations amongst states, business enterprises and civil society organisations, led by the UN.

As a first step, a formal commitment by the government of Pakistan to develop such a national action plan was announced in November 2018 by the Ministry of Human Rights at the Annual Forum on Business and Human Rights in Geneva. In March 2021, the draft national action plan was circulated for comments to various federal ministries and provincial departments, as well as national human rights institutions and other stakeholders.

The draft was also uploaded on a dedicated business and human rights website hosted by the Ministry of Human Rights, with an open call for public feedback from civil society,........

© Dawn