United Nations in Pakistan

Pakistan affirmed its commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by adopting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as its own national development agenda through a unanimous National Assembly Resolution in 2016. Since then, the country has made considerable progress by mainstreaming these goals in national policies and strategies and developing an institutional framework for SDGs implementation in Pakistan. SDG support units have been established at federal and provincial levels with the planning institutions (Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives and Provincial Planning and Development Departments) to guide SDGs implementation and monitoring it progress. In 2018, the Government designed and approved a National SDGs Framework that envisages a national vision to prioritize and localize SDGs. Localized provincial SDG Frameworks are being formulated. The focus of the government is on mainstreaming SDGs in planning processes, ensuring strong monitoring and reporting on SDGs, ensuring public financial allocations are aligned to SDGs and alternate financing modalities are being explored, and to benefit from use of technology to accelerate progress towards SDGs.

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Publication

15 April 2025

Annual Report 2024

This annual report is proof positive that development works. It shows how the UN in Pakistan, together with our many partners, changed lives for the better in 2024. In words, numbers and images, this report outlines how our solutions for sustainable development sought to deliver the greatest impact for people in the greatest need.

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Publication

08 November 2022

United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2023-2027 for Pakistan

With this framework, the UN in Pakistan has prioritized five development outcomes to improve people’s lives in Pakistan, especially the lives of those at the greatest risk of being left behind. The UN will support Pakistan to move forward on its pathway towards sustainable development, on the understanding that:✓ If basic social services – including health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), education and social protection – are strengthened, there will be increased equal access to sustainable quality services for all.✓ If women, girls and transgender persons are empowered to reach their fullest potential, their human, social, economic and cultural rights will be fully protected and upheld, and they will have decision-making power over all aspects of their lives.✓ If the health of the Indus River Basin is restored and protected, and resources are equitably and efficiently used, the Indus will sustain a thriving civilization from its sources to the sea, and Pakistan will be much better equipped to adapt to climate change and mitigate its impact.✓ If there is sustainable and inclusive green economic growth and decent work, there will be equitable employment opportunities, enhanced productivity, a sustainable business environment and the realization of workers’ rights.✓ If inclusive, accountable and efficient governance systems are in place, they will provide equitable service delivery, affordable and accessible justice systems, and enable people to be aware of – and obtain – their rights.To download an abridged version: Click here

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Story

20 February 2026

Health on wheels for flood-affected communities in Pakistan

19 February 2026, Islamabad/Lahore – “They didn’t just bring medicine; they brought the hospital to our doorstep,” says Haider, a local farmer from Jhook Dargai village. He is one of the 250 000 people affected by the 2025 monsoon floods in Punjab who have been prioritized by the World Health Organization (WHO) to receive essential health services, as part of the response funded by the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).Haider and his family were visited by a doctor in one of the mobile health units deployed by WHO in collaboration with the Alkhidmat Health Foundation (AKHF) and the District Government of Jhang. The intervention was designed specifically to bridge the gap for hard-to-reach communities with significant mobility and financial barriers – with particular attention to women, children, persons with disabilities, and the elderly.For farmers like Haider, the medical camps brought new hope. “The floods took our crops and our savings. When my wife, Sakina, and our little daughter, Fatima, began showing signs of extreme fatigue and weakness, I didn’t know where to turn. The local health facilities were inaccessible, and we had no money for transport or private clinics.”The mobile health teams performed rapid blood testing for Haider and his family – services normally unavailable in such remote areas. The tests revealed that both Sakina and Fatima were suffering from severe anaemia, a common consequence of the emergency triggered by the floods. They were immediately provided with medical counselling and essential medications, free of charge.By providing maternal, newborn, and child health services, ultrasound diagnostics, and rapid testing at no cost, the mobile units have helped ease the financial hardship of families already pushed to the brink by the 2025 climate-driven floods.The impact of the camp extended far beyond clinical treatment. Haider was among more than 300 community members, including students and local volunteers, who participated in intensive awareness-raising sessions. These sessions, supported by WHO Pakistan, utilized information, education, and communication materials to empower the communities with knowledge on epidemic prevention and the management of nutritional deficiencies. “The volunteers visited our homes and schools, teaching us how to protect ourselves from waterborne diseases,” says Haider.Medical camp supported by WHO for people affected by the 2025 floods in Punjab, Pakistan. Photo credit: WHO PakistanThe network of AKHF volunteers remains active in the village, meticulously visiting households to ensure that vital health counselling and life-saving information take root.A patient receives prescribed medicines after being checked up in a WHO-supported mobile health unit. Photo credit: WHO PakistanIn villages like Jhook Dargai, the partnership between WHO, CERF, Pakistan and AKHF has contributed to improving public health and restoring dignity.CERF early financing enabled Pakistan’s health sector to rapidly provide essential services following the 2025 floods, supporting timely life-saving interventions for displaced and vulnerable populations across the most severely affected districts of Punjab.The beneficiaries of WHO interventions supported by CERF are much more than numbers. They are mothers, daughters, sons, grandparents, and fathers like Haider.Haider’s family is no longer “unreachable”, proving that, even in the wake of a climate catastrophe, the power of health partnerships can bring hope for all – regardless of economic status, where they live or who they are.

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Health on wheels for flood-affected communities in Pakistan

Story

13 February 2026

Mobilizing 400,000 WHO-trained polio workers to vaccinate 45 million children in Pakistan

“We climb mountains and walk through the snow for hours with great difficulty. There is also a risk of snow falling on us from the mountains. Yet we do not give up. We reach our assigned area to vaccinate all children and protect them from polio,” says Rabia, a polio worker from Upper Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.Rabia is one of the 400,000 polio frontline workers trained and mobilized by the World Health Organization (WHO), in partnership with Pakistan’s Polio Eradication Initiative, who went door-to-door during the first national polio vaccination campaign of 2026 (2–8 February). Their goal: to bring the life-saving polio vaccine to 45 million children.Over the past 3 decades, thanks to hundreds of thousands of polio workers and the unwavering commitment of the Government of Pakistan and partners, Pakistan has reduced polio cases by 99.8% – from an estimated 20,000 in the early 1990s to 31 cases in 2025. Experts agree: ending wild polio in Pakistan and worldwide is within reach, but only if all partners intensify the response, particularly in the remaining two endemic countries: Pakistan and Afghanistan.Polio worker Rabia (right) in Upper Chitral during the national campaign conducted in Pakistan from 2-8 February 2026. Photo credit: WHO PakistanThe WHO-prequalified polio vaccines are safe and effective and have been used in 195 countries to fight polio and shield millions of children from a disease that has no cure and can cause lifelong paralysis or death.During the recent February campaign, Rabia climbed steep mountains in remote areas to visit 146 houses and vaccinate 85 children.Like Rabia, Momina is part of a 2-member polio team in Booni, Upper Chitral. “I thank Allah that I have gotten this opportunity to serve and I am trying my best to eradicate polio in my country,” she says. About 400 kilometres away, Zeenat was deployed in the Khayaban-e-Sir Syed area, Rawalpindi. She spent her days walking for hours, traversing narrow alleys and climbing multiple floors of buildings to visit 242 houses and administer 2 drops of the oral polio vaccine to every child.“I am a mother too and I have also gotten my own children vaccinated for polio. Thank God, they are healthy and protected now,” she says. “This disease has no cure. I want all parents in the country to vaccinate their children with polio drops so they don’t fall prey to paralysis.”A WHO staff member and a vaccinator mark children’s fingers after administering polio drops in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, during the first 2026 national polio campaign (2-8 February). Photo credit: Hamid Inam/WHO Pakistan.A science-based polio operation to fight a global threatAs a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), WHO provides technical and operational assistance to Pakistan’s Polio Eradication Initiative, launched in 1994. In this role, WHO supports Pakistan and partners in leading key components of the largest polio operation in the world. This includes science- and evidence-based vaccination campaigns, training and deployment of polio workers, outbreak response, poliovirus surveillance and monitoring and evaluation of vaccination drives. In 2024–25, WHO polio operations in Pakistan were supported by the generous contributions of Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, France, Canada, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Germany, United States of America, the Gates Foundation and Rotary International.Carrying hope, two polio drops at a time“The vaccine is very important for children in Pakistan because polio can infect children and paralyze them. This is why we go house-to-house to vaccinate them so that no child is paralyzed,” says Neelum, a polio worker from Rawalpindi.Rabia, Momina, Zeenat, and Neelum’s dedication is a testament to the work of hundreds of thousands of polio workers who make their way across the country to keep families and communities safe from the global health threat of polio. On every street corner, on every snowy slope, in every remote desert, and at every river crossing – two drops at a time – they carry the hope of a healthier, polio-free future for all. Written by: Suzanna MasihEdited by: Dr José Ignacio Martín Galán

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Story

09 January 2026

Against the odds: Pakistan's health heroes protecting girls from cervical cancer

Riffat, Saira, Shaheen, and Naheed are 4 of the 49 000 health workers trained with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) who implemented Pakistan's first-ever human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign to prevent cervical cancer in 2025, protecting over 9.6 million girls aged 9–14 years.As we mark cervical cancer awareness month, we celebrate their stories and their crucial contributions to the fight against a preventable disease that every year affects over 5000 women in Pakistan – killing 3200 of them (64%).By battling a disinformation storm to protect millions of girls and their future families, these frontline workers achieved a historic milestone in the nation’s public health journey. They became the heroes paving the way towards ending cervical cancer for millions of women.Riffat Naz: the planner who rewrote the planRiffat Naz, UCMO using the community map to discuss with her team members the number of girls to be vaccinated in each area and school. Photo credit: Ayesha Javed/ WHO Pakistan"Every single girl on our list is a daughter, a sister, a future leader. Our planning must be flawless to protect every one of them,” sayd Riffat Naz, a Union Council Medical Officer (UCMO) in Islamabad before the campaign began. Her team spent months conducting meticulous microplanning, creating maps and data sheets for a campaign largely focused on schools.However, reality quickly tested these plans. Riffat’s teams faced unexpected reluctance from school administrations and a high number of parents who, influenced by online misinformation, refused to provide consent. When school-based coverage remained significantly low, Riffat had to change the approach. Her new strategy focused on reaching girls outside the classroom, redeploying teams to reassure parents at their doorstep and covering out-of-school girls in communities and nomadic settlements. “Our initial plans were challenged daily, but with the support of government authorities we were able to adapt”.Saira Hassan: the social mobilizer on the frontline of misinformationSaira responds to mothers' questions during a community engagement session. Photo credit: WHO PakistanAs the campaign shifted from schools to households, the role of social mobilizers like Saira Hassan became even more critical. Her task was to counter misinformation circulating online by answering questions from parents and providing science-based facts to show that the WHO-prequalified vaccine is safe, life-saving, and effective, and has been successfully used in 150 countries – including Muslim countries – to protect girls from cervical cancer.“When I speak to a mother, I tell her this vaccine is safe and free, and is for the health of her daughter,” says Saira. With 7 years of experience, she used the trust built in her community to patiently counter the myths. This personal commitment was mirrored by staff at WHO, who vaccinated their own daughters and shared these moments on social media, creating a powerful, unified front against misinformation.Shaheen Akhter and Naheed Akhter: a team reassuring parents amidst doubtHealth workers Naheed and Shaheen during a training facilitated by WHO Pakistan. Photo credit: Hamid Inam/WHO Pakistan.For vaccinator Shaheen Akhter, being part of this historic first campaign was an honor. The intensive training supported by WHO had prepared her for the job. But the real test came in the field, where she and her team assistant, Naheed Akhter, faced parents filled with fear and doubt.While Shaheen focused on the vaccine, Naheed provided reassurance to parents and girls. “My job is to make sure everyone feels safe and cared for. A kind word and a smile can make all the difference,” Naheed says. Her reassuring presence was vital in calming anxious families. “I see my own daughters in the faces of these young girls,” she says.A new conversation, a ray of hopeTogether, Riffat, Saira, Shaheen, and Naheed represent the thousands of health workers who made the first vaccination campaign in Pakistan to prevent cervical cancer possible. While the 66% coverage rate achieved indicates that there is still work to be done, a ray of hope has emerged from the challenges. The campaign’s frontline workers have ignited a nationwide conversation on ending the public health threat of cervical cancer for millions of girls. Written by: Ayesha Javed - WHO Pakistan Edited by: José Ignacio Martín Galán - WHO Pakistan

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Vaccination teams accompanied by WHO personnel during the HPV vaccination campaign against cervical cancer conducted by Pakistan in September 2025.

Story

24 April 2025

Laila’s journey: crossing rivers and fields to vaccinate every child

“Children should complete their vaccinations, no matter where they live. To reach these locations, we travel on foot, often crossing fields. Sometimes we use a boat to cross rivers to ensure that no child misses a vaccination.” In the scorching heat of Ghazi Kot – a remote area of Muzaffargarh district – navigating the waters of the Indus River in a small boat, 24-year-old Laila Ashiq embarks with her vaccine carrier on a heroic mission to vaccinate every child and pregnant woman against preventable diseases, leaving no one behind. As one of only 12 female vaccinators in the district, Laila's commitment to her community of 60 000 individuals goes beyond her role as vaccinator for the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) in Pakistan, a collaborative initiative supported by the World Health Organization (WHO). “When children are vaccinated, they stay healthy, contributing to a healthier society and helping to brighten the future of Pakistan,” says Laila. Laila, who lost her mother in 2021 and supports her 2 younger sisters while her father works as a ticket collector, embodies resilience and determination. Twice a week, Laila travels 25–30 km along a treacherous river route to reach hard-to-access villages. Driven by her unwavering belief that every life matters, Laila vaccinates women and children and educates mothers on the importance of regular vaccination and preventive care, helping to ensure that their children grow up healthy. "Vaccination is not just a choice, it's a responsibility that we share for the well-being of the children of our community. Through outreach and awareness-raising efforts, vaccinators transform indifference into a commitment to protect our children from preventable diseases like tetanus and measles”, says Laila. Laila vaccinates children against 12 fatal diseases including childhood tuberculosis, polio, diarrhoea, pneumonia, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, haemophilus influenzae type b, meningitis, typhoid, measles and rubella. “I felt relieved after the completion of the vaccination course for my son, knowing my child is protected now. For this I am grateful to Laila who not only informed me about the benefits of vaccination but also ensured I stayed on track with each dose,” said Rabia Bibi, mother of 3 children and a resident of Daddoo Mor village in Ghazikot.Laila’s dedication to outreach activities in geographically challenging regions is a testament to her commitment to improving health care services in the community. For her, having access to vaccinations is not a privilege, but a human right. “I believe that health is a fundamental right for every child, and this right cannot be taken away from them. Their vaccinations should be completed, no matter where they live.”

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24 April 2025

Pakistan: the women heroes of polio eradication

From vaccination campaigns to disease surveillance, women are at the forefront of the fight against polio across Pakistan, defying challenges, overcoming social norms, building trust and protecting the most vulnerable children from this lifelong paralytic disease. They are leading the way to run the last mile and end the global threat of polio.They are people like Ayesha Raza, a polio survivor who earned global recognition in 2024 for her dedication to fight this deadly disease, Bakht Roza and Basmina – who reach nomadic children in the harsh terrain of southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – and Dr Sarwat Wajahat Sheikh, whose efforts were recently recognized by the Government of Sindh. Ayesha, the polio survivor protecting Pakistani children from disability “It’s not easy for me to walk during polio campaigns due to my limited mobility, but I cannot miss the chance to bring hope and resilience to the children of Pakistan.”Polio eradication is a personal mission for Ayesha Raza, a Pakistani polio survivor and health worker whose remarkable commitment earned her global recognition at the Golden Jubilee Ceremony of the Islamic Development Bank – a polio eradication donor – which took place in Saudi Arabia in 2024.Every year, Ayesha is one of 400 000 vaccinators who go door-to-door to implement massive Government-led vaccination campaigns, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners, to protect over 45 million children against paralytic polio in Pakistan. Ayesha was 2 years old when she contracted polio in the 1990s, at a time when Pakistan did not have a dedicated polio programme. Since then, vaccinators like Ayesha have reduced the number of polio cases by 99.7%. With her left leg paralyzed and difficulty walking, Ayesha’s childhood was challenging. But she refused to let disability define her. She turned to a career as a health worker and also volunteered for the Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme.Ayesha works as a vaccinator and social mobilizer in Lahore, convincing hesitant parents to vaccinate their children to protect them from lifelong disability. “I eagerly await the day when polio is completely eradicated, bringing a brighter future for our nation and the world,” she says.Brave women on motorbikes to reach nomad children In the rough mountainous terrain of Lakki Marwat, two brave Pashtun women, Bakht Roza and Basmina navigate remote, security-compromised areas on motorbikes to vaccinate children against 12 deadly diseases, including polio. Working in Bettani subdivision, where health services are scarce, they are the sole source of essential immunization for children and expectant mothers.Deployed under the Nomads Vaccination Initiative – launched in 2022 to vaccinate nomadic children who often miss polio and routine vaccinations due to frequent movement – Bakht Roza and Basmina travel long distances and overcome cultural barriers to protect children from terrible diseases. They have vaccinated nearly 2800 children, convinced over 200 refusal families to accept immunization, and administered tetanus vaccinations for pregnant women who had not received vaccinations at the local health facility because only a male vaccinator was available. Braving harsh terrain, falls from bikes and community resistance, they remain steadfast. “We think of all the children in the community who need our help as our own children and that motivates us to keep going,” says Bakht Roza.Their story is a testament to the resilience and dedication of female vaccinators who ensure that every child has the chance for a healthy future. WHO Disease Surveillance Officer Recognized for Breakthrough Case Detection “As a public health worker, a polio-free Pakistan is my highest priority and a dream to realize.”Making Pakistan polio-free is a priority for Dr Sarwat Wajahat Sheikh, a WHO Disease Surveillance Officer in Karachi’s Malir district. Her hard work and exceptional commitment to identifying and investigating polio cases in her district was recognized by the Government of Sindh on World Polio Day 2024. In 2017, Dr Sarwat joined WHO in Sindh’s Dadu district where she played a key role in strengthening poliovirus and vaccine-preventable disease surveillance. In 2021, she was transferred to Karachi where the dense population, frequent migration and pockets of vaccine resistance, especially in underserved communities, make poliovirus circulation a persistent challenge. In Karachi Dr Sarwat contributed to expanding the number of surveillance sites from 43 to 93 and mobilized 152 community informants to improve polio case detection. In 2024, she faced one of her toughest cases in Ibrahim Hyderi, a slum community of labourers and fishermen, where a child – suspected of having polio – had unfortunately passed away. The family was hesitant to cooperate with the Pakistan Polio Programme’s case investigation teams. Undeterred, Dr Sarwat spent weeks building trust with the parents, ultimately convincing them to let the teams collect stool samples from other children in the family to rule out polio. Her efforts led to confirmation of the first polio case in the area in 10 years, triggering an urgent vaccination response to protect all children in the community. Dr Sarwat’s work earned her special recognition from the Government of Sindh. “Disease surveillance is a powerful tool to level the playing field, to bend the arc of our country away from poliovirus and towards a polio-free Pakistan”.

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Pakistan: the women heroes of polio eradication

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Press Release

04 March 2026

Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 3 March 2026

UNICEFSTATEMENTStatement by UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia, Sanjay Wijesekera, on the impact of renewed cross-border hostilities on children in Afghanistan and PakistanKATHMANDU/NEW YORK, 2 March 2026 – “UNICEF is alarmed by reports that children have been killed and injured in the recent escalation of hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan.“While we are working to verify these reports in coordination with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and other UN partners, it is already clear that children are bearing a heavy toll.“Following intense fighting, families who survived last year’s devastating earthquake in eastern Afghanistan are now being asked to evacuate displacement camps near the border for their own safety. The affected camps were established to provide essential support, including shelter, food, healthcare, safe water and sanitation, child-friendly spaces, and emergency education to 17,000 survivors, approximately half of them are children.“For families who have already lost so much, this renewed displacement compounds their suffering. Once again, children are being uprooted from what little stability they had regained and are exposed to heightened risks of disease, malnutrition, violence and exploitation.“In Pakistan, escalating tensions have also affected children and families in border areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Authorities have now reportedly closed 138 government schools as a precautionary measure, given recent attacks on schools, including a drone strike in Ghalanai, disrupting access to education for thousands of children. Routine immunization is also being impacted. Displacement and insecurity have increased protection concerns, including the risk of injury and loss of life, alongside risks posed by unexploded ordnance in affected communities.“UNICEF calls on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, protect civilian lives, and uphold their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law. Children must be protected at all times.”###Media contact:Ricardo PiresCommunication Manager & Deputy SpokespersonUNICEF GenevaTel: +41 79 481 5021Email: rpires@unicef.orgAbout UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world's toughest places, to reach the world's most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF’s work for children in South Asia, visit www.unicef.org/rosa. Follow UNICEF on Twitter and Facebook. UNDPPRESS RELEASEUNDP Supports Pakistan Governance Forum 2026 to Advance Institutional ReformThe Pakistan Governance Forum (PGF) 2026, convened by the Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives and supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), marked a significant moment in Pakistan’s national policy dialogue. Held on 25-26 February in Islamabad, the initiative built on the momentum of the 2023 Governance Forum, further consolidating a national platform for institutional reform and policy dialogue.Organised under the Government’s URAAN Pakistan initiative, the Forum was structured around the 5Es: Equity, Exports, Energy, Environment, and e-Pakistan. Comprehensive discussions in 25 thematic sessions involving over 100 eminent speakers and more than 500 participants — including federal and provincial leaders, parliamentarians, senior civil servants, development partners, private sector representatives, academia, civil society, and students — PGF 2026 served as a whole-of-government and whole-of-society dialogue on Pakistan’s reform trajectory.The Forum was inaugurated by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, who emphasized strengthening public institutions for transparent fiscal management and equitable development. Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal highlighted long-term planning and institutional reform as foundations for sustainable national progress. In his remarks, UNDP Resident Representative Dr. Samuel Rizk underscored the need to translate Pakistan’s recent macroeconomic stabilization into sustained, inclusive growth through stronger institutions, improved public sector performance, and renewed citizen trust. Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan & Foreign Minister, delivered the closing keynote address on day one, reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting national interests through peaceful dialogue, strategic partnerships, and advancing diplomacy in service of the people.Day two of the Forum was inaugurated by Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker of the National Assembly, who called for strengthening the Parliament to ensure transparent and citizen-responsive governance. UNDP also convened a dedicated policy dialogue at the Forum around the latest edition of its quarterly Development Advocate Pakistan publication. Moderated by Dr. Rizk, the session featured Bilal Azhar Kayani, Minister of State for Finance and Railways; Sam Waldock, Development Director, British High Commission; Dr. Saba Gul Khattak, former Member (Social Sector), Planning Commission; and Dr. Mirjam Buedenbender Buchholz, Head of Cooperation, Embassy of Germany.Ahead of the event’s closing by Yousuf Raza Gilani, Chairman Senate, the Forum reflected strong United Nations-wide participation, underscoring the centrality of governance across sectors. Heads and senior representatives from multiple UN agencies contributed to panel discussions, including Fuad Pashayev, Representative, UNESCO; Geir Tønstøl, Country Director, ILO; Pernille Ironside, Representative, UNICEF; Jamshed Kazi, Country Representative, UN Women; Van Nguyen, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP; Gulnara Kadyrkulova, Deputy Representative, UNFPA; Thomas Conan, Deputy Country Director, World Food Programme; and Jawed Ali Khan, Country Programme Manager, UN-Habitat.PGF 2026 reaffirmed UNDP’s role as a strategic partner to the Government of Pakistan in advancing governance reform, institutional strengthening, and inclusive growth, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and Pakistan’s long-term development vision.

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Press Release

04 March 2026

Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 2 March 2026

UNITED NATIONSSECRETARY-GENERAL STATEMENTStatement by the Secretary-General on IranI condemn today’s military escalation in the Middle East. The use of force by the United States and Israel against Iran, and the subsequent retaliation by Iran across the region, undermine international peace and security.All Member States must respect their obligations under international law, including the Charter of the United Nations. The Charter clearly prohibits “the threat of the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.”I call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and de-escalation. Failing to do so risks a wider regional conflict with grave consequences for civilians and regional stability. I strongly encourage all parties to return immediately to the negotiating table.I reiterate that there is no viable alternative to the peaceful settlement of international disputes, in full accordance with international law, including the UN Charter. The Charter provides the foundation for the maintenance of international peace and security.New York, 28 February 2026 THE SECRETARY-GENERALREMARKS TO THE SECURITY COUNCILNew York, 28 February 2026 Mr. President, Excellencies,Ladies and gentlemen, I will speak directly to three areas today: the principles, the facts, and the way out. First, the principles. The UN Charter provides the foundation for the maintenance of international peace and security.Article 2 of the Charter clearly states: “All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.”International law and international humanitarian law must always be respected. That is why since this morning, I have condemned the massive military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran. I also condemned the subsequent attacks by Iran violating the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. We are witnessing a grave threat to international peace and security.Military action carries the risk of igniting a chain of events that no one can control in the most volatile region of the world.Let me be clear: There is no viable alternative to the peaceful settlement of international disputes. Lasting peace can only be achieved through peaceful means, including genuine dialogue and negotiations.Mr. President,Second, the facts. The situation on the ground is very fluid. There are many unconfirmed reports. Here is what we know. About 20 cities across Iran -- including Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Shahriar, and Tabriz -- have reportedly been attacked. In Tehran, large explosions were reported in the district that includes the presidential palace and the compound of the Supreme Leader. Several high-ranking officials have reportedly been killed, including – according to Israeli sources – Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, that I am not in a position to confirm. Iran's airspace been closed and the country is under a near-total internet blackout. The attacks have reportedly caused significant civilian casualties. According to Iranian media, an air strike killed at least 85 people and injured many more at a girls school in Minab, Hormogan Province. And a school in Tehran was also reportedly hit, causing two deaths. Mr. President, Military action is expanding rapidly across the region, creating an increasingly volatile and unpredictable situation and heightening the risk of miscalculation. According to Israeli sources, eighty-nine people have been injured in Iran’s subsequent strikes on Israel and there were also impacts in the occupied West Bank.Iran has announced that in reaction to US and Israeli airstrikes, it targeted US military assets in the region. These strikes have reportedly hit civilian areas and infrastructure in the countries that I have already mentioned. Indirect impact of falling debris was also reported in Lebanon and Syria. Most Gulf states successfully intercepted the Iranian strikes. However, the UAE reported that one civilian was killed by debris from an intercepted missile. In Iraq, there are reports of drone and missile attacks from both sides. There are also reports that Iran is closing the Strait of Hormuz for international shipping. Mr. President, The US and Israeli attacks occurred following the third round of indirect talks between the US and Iran mediated by Oman. Preparations had been made for technical talks in Vienna next week followed by a new round of political talks. I deeply regret that this opportunity of diplomacy has been squandered. Mr. President,Third, the region and the world need a way out now. I call for de-escalation and an immediate cessation of hostilities.The alternative is a potential wider conflict with grave consequences for civilians and regional stability.I strongly urge all parties to return immediately to the negotiating table, notably on the Iran nuclear programme.I note that the US President has reportedly talked with leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Iran’s Foreign Minister has reportedly spoken to his counterparts in GCC countries and Iraq. Everything must be done to prevent a further escalation. To this end, I call on all Member States to strictly uphold their obligations under international law, including the UN Charter, to respect and protect civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law, and to ensure nuclear safety. Let us act -- responsibly and together -- to pull the region, and our world, back from the brink. Thank you. *****Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-GeneralUnited Nations

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Press Release

23 February 2026

Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 21 February 2026

Second National Judicial Educators Conference advances judicial excellence in PakistanIslamabad, 20 February 2026 – The Federal Judicial Academy (FJA), through funding provided by the European Union and in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under the Deliver Justice Project, convened the second annual National Judicial Educators Conference in Islamabad, bringing together 45 judicial educators from across the country.The two-day conference focused on accelerating the implementation of the Islamabad Declaration on the Future of Judicial Excellence, unanimously adopted at last year’s conference in October. The Declaration set out a shared vision for strengthening judicial education, emphasized the need for a National Judicial Education Framework, and proposed the establishment of a National Judicial Educators Forum to encourage collaboration and continuous learning.In the closing ceremony, Mr. Hayat Ali Shah, Director General, Federal Judicial Academy, expressed appreciation for the active engagement and insightful contributions of all participants. He remarked, “This Conference has not only reinforced our shared commitment to judicial excellence but has also provided a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration among judicial educators from across Pakistan. The discussions and action plans developed over these two days will be pivotal in developing a unified curriculum and advancing the Islamabad Declaration on the Future of Judicial Excellence. I am confident that the establishment of the National Judicial Educators Forum will sustain this momentum and ensure that judicial education continues to meet the highest standards of quality, inclusivity, and relevance.”Throughout the conference, provincial and national judicial educators participated in interactive group exercises aimed at improving the training of judges and court staff. The discussions emphasized reforms in curriculum design and pedagogical approaches within judicial academies nationwide, with a focus on improving the justice sector's responsiveness to the evolving needs of communities.Speaking on the occasion, Ms. ?na Kelly, First Secretary, Rule of Law, European Union Delegation to Pakistan, highlighted, “Judicial academies are a key part of a stable, modern and informed judiciary. Through the capacity building of judges and their legal staff, the academies lead the way in sharing case and procedural knowledge and best practice. The Federal and Provincial Judicial Academies of Pakistan, therefore, are a core part and partners of our justice sector support to Pakistan now and for the future.”The two-day conference concluded with the development of a comprehensive action plan to implement the Islamabad Declaration on the Future of Judicial Excellence, aimed at modernizing judicial training practices and strengthening institutions responsible for delivering justice.Ms. Shahzada Ahmad, Programme Manager, Rule of Law Programme, UNDP Pakistan, emphasized, “We have made significant achievements in strengthening the institutional capacity of judicial academies in Pakistan. This forum and the successful implementation of last year’s Declaration will further advance this transformation that has people-centered justice at its heart.” She also thanked the FJA, provincial judicial academies, high courts, and the EU for their partnership in advancing the rule of law through the Deliver Justice Project.###Contact Details: For additional information, please contact:Fizza Bangash, Communications Analyst, UNDP Pakistan, fizza.bangash@undp.org or +92 (51) 835 5631Samar Saeed Akhtar, Communication, Press and Information Officer at The European Union Delegation to Pakistan, samar-saeed.akhtar@eeas.europa.eu About the Deliver Justice Project:The 20 Million Euro “Deliver Justice Programme”, is funded by the European Union and aims to support reform processes to ensure the delivery of people-centered justice, enhance access to justice for all, particularly women and less privileged groups, and improve service delivery of the security sector in line with constitutional safeguards and international standards in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including the Merged Districts and Balochistan. The programme is funded by the EU and jointly implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).The UNDP Rule of Law Programme is implementing a range of interventions to enhance security and justice sector governance in Pakistan.About UNDP:UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.Learn more at undp.org

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Press Release

20 February 2026

Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 18 February 2026

UNHCR, Peshawar Zalmi call for empathy towards refugees, asylum-seekers UNHCR and Peshawar Zalmi have renewed their long-standing partnership, reiterating their call for greater compassion towards refugees and asylum-seekers.ISLAMABAD, 17 February 2026: UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and Peshawar Zalmi have reaffirmed their collaboration to promote empathy, dignity and solidarity for displaced communities.Since 2016, UNHCR and Peshawar Zalmi have worked together on initiatives supporting refugees. As a leading franchise of the Pakistan Super League, the team has harnessed the unifying power of sport to amplify refugee voices and share their stories with broader audiences.Through this partnership, Peshawar Zalmi has highlighted that refugees are not defined by hardship, but by their resilience, talent and potential.A partnership announcement ceremony was held on Tuesday 17th February 2026, in Islamabad, attended by Ms. Philippa Candler, UNHCR Representative in Pakistan, and Mr. Mian Abbas Layaq, Chief Operating Officer of Peshawar Zalmi.Speaking at the event, Ms. Candler said UNHCR is proud to continue its collaboration with Peshawar Zalmi, whose consistent support has helped elevate refugee voices across Pakistan and beyond.“This is not just a logo on a jersey — it is a badge of humanity, worn with pride by champions on and off the field,” she said.She added that together, they are demonstrating that refugees are not forgotten — they are part of “our team, our stories, and our future.”Delivering a message on behalf of Javed Afridi, Chairman of Peshawar Zalmi Foundation, Mr. Layaq emphasized the importance of empathy and dignity.“Refugees share the same hopes and ambitions as anyone else. Their circumstances call for empathy and dignity,” he said.“Cricket has the power to connect people across boundaries. Through our ongoing collaboration with UNHCR, we want to highlight the resilience and contributions of refugees. We are honoured to use our platform to foster understanding, solidarity and support for displaced families,” he added. Media contactMr. Qaiser Khan Afridi, UNHCR Pakistan Spokesperson, +92-300-5018696

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Press Release

20 February 2026

Media Update-2: United Nations Pakistan, 19 February 2026

Pakistan Advances National Strategy against Organized Crime Islamabad 18 February 2026 - Key national and international stakeholders convened in Islamabad on 16–17 February for the Multistakeholder Consultative Workshop on shaping Pakistan’s National Strategy against Organized Crime, marking an important step toward finalizing the country’s first comprehensive framework to address organized criminal networks.The two-day workshop supported by the United Kingdom, facilitated by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in collaboration with the Government of Pakistan brought together approximately 60 participants from federal and provincial authorities, law enforcement agencies, civil society organizations, and development partners.Opening the proceedings, UNODC Country Representative Troels Vester highlighted the evolving and multidimensional nature of organized crime, stressing that effective responses must move beyond isolated institutional efforts toward a coordinated whole-of-society approach.Representing the Ministry of Interior, Joint Secretary Shahzad Hameed Khan Durrani reaffirmed the Government of Pakistan’s commitment to endorsing and implementing the National Organized Crime Strategy. He underscored the need for strengthened investigative capacity, intelligence sharing, gender-responsive approaches, and sustained inter-agency coordination.The Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) emphasized the Agency’s frontline role in combating transnational and technology-driven crimes, including irregular migration, human smuggling, cybercrime, and money laundering. He noted that the emerging strategy must translate into operational results through improved investigations, prosecutions, and institutional capacity-building.Mr. Alasdair Grant, Counsellor for Security and Justice at the British High Commission emphasized that the UK is proud to support Pakistan’s National Strategy Against Organised Crime. He stressed how this was an important milestone in strengthening coordination, promoting evidence‑based action, and upholding the rule of law. Working alongside the Government of Pakistan and UNODC, we are helping to protect communities and reinforce our shared effort to reduce transnational organized crime.During the workshop, participants reviewed and refined activities under the four strategic pillars of Prevent, Pursue, Protect and Promote, while identifying implementation, monitoring, and evaluation mechanisms to ensure sustainability.A significant milestone was the presentation of the Civil Society Declaration, which reinforced the importance of community engagement, accountability, and victim protection within the national response framework.The consultative process reflects Pakistan’s growing commitment to an inclusive, evidence-based and coordinated approach to tackling organized crime. The next phase will focus on finalization and operationalization of the National Strategy.For more information contact: Ms. Rizwana Rahool (rizwana.rahool@un.org - cell: +923018564255)

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