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.

Learn more

Publication

16 April 2026

The Future of Governance and the Social Contract

This issue of the Development Advocate Pakistan, The Future of Governance and the Social Contract, examines how governance capacity, not policy ambition alone, will determine Pakistan’s ability to navigate economic volatility, climate pressures, digital transformation, and widening inequality. At a moment of overlapping national transitions, it argues that restoring trust in the state depends on stronger institutions, better coordination, and closing the gap between reform commitments and lived outcomes.The issue features a leadership perspective by Honourable Bilal Azhar Kayani, Minister of State for Finance and Railways and Head of the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit, alongside reflections from UNDP Pakistan’s Resident Representative Dr. Samuel Rizk and Deputy Resident Representative Van Nguyen; Sam Waldock, Development Director at the British Deputy High Commission in Islamabad; and Saroop Ijaz, Lawyer and Human Rights Advocate The issue also brings together diverse technical experts and thought leaders examining governance through multiple lenses, including fiscal federalism, constitutional accountability, digital rights, climate governance, water security, regional inequality, inclusion, and more. Among the contributing authors are Christina Murray, Visiting Fellow at Kellogg College, University of Oxford and Gideon Basson, PhD Candidate, University of Oxford; Asma Hyder, Former Dean and Professor at IBA Karachi; Nargis Sethi, Former Cabinet Secretary and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister; Mehreen Naushad, International Law Expert; Dr. Sajid Amin, Deputy Executive Director at SDPI; Shmyla Khan, Researcher and Campaigner; Sara Hayat, Climate Change Law & Policy Specialist; Mohsin Leghari, Former Provincial Minister for Irrigation, Punjab; and Peter Jacob, Director of the Centre for Social Justice. The report concludes with a case study from UNDP’s Democratic Governance Unit, highlighting practical efforts to institutionalize results-based delivery within the Prime Minister’s Office.Together, these contributions underscore a central message: the future of Pakistan’s social contract will be determined not only by constitutional guarantees or reform plans, but by the strength, coherence, and accountability of the institutions that bring them to life.

1 of 5

Publication

16 April 2026

Pakistan’s National Strategy to Counter Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence

As Pakistan’s digital landscape expands, so does the need to ensure that online spaces are safe, inclusive, and rights-based. In 2024, eight million new female users came online, marking important progress in digital inclusion. Yet in the same year, 135,000 cybercrime complaints were reported, while only 826 cases proceeded to prosecution — just 0.6 percent. This gap between access and protection highlights the scale of the challenge and the need for a stronger institutional response.Technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) is increasingly shaping how women and girls experience digital spaces in Pakistan. From harassment and cyberstalking to image-based abuse, impersonation, and coordinated online intimidation, these harms can restrict expression, participation, and access to opportunity, while reinforcing existing inequalities.To respond to this growing challenge, the Ministry of Human Rights, Government of Pakistan, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has developed Pakistan’s first National Strategy to Counter Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence. This strategy marks an important step toward a more coordinated, survivor-centred, and rights-based response. Developed through a consultative multi-stakeholder process, the strategy provides a national framework to strengthen prevention, protection, redress, and institutional coordination, while helping ensure that women and girls can participate in digital life with safety, dignity, and confidence.

1 of 5

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

1 of 5

Story

06 April 2026

Threading a New Path: Saeeda’s Journey from Isolation to Enterprise

In Union Council Churbandar, in Gwadar district, Saeeda’s days once revolved around quiet, repetitive work.At 39, widowed and raising two children, she relied on hand embroidery to sustain her household. Her work was careful and skilled, but it remained confined within her home. Without access to buyers, pricing knowledge, or regular orders, her monthly income fluctuated between PKR 10,000 and 15,000. It was uncertain, informal, and difficult to scale. “I used to do embroidery, but I did not know how to sell my work properly or get regular orders,” she recalls. Like many women in her community, Saeeda’s challenge was not a lack of skill. It was the absence of a pathway to turn that skill into a stable livelihood.That began to change with the establishment of the Women Resource Centre (WRC) in Churbandar under the Gwadar Lasbela Livelihoods Support Project, financed by Government of Pakistan and the International Dund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). Designed as a safe and accessible space, the centre brought women together to learn, work, and exchange knowledge. For Saeeda, it marked her first step out of isolation.Through the centre, she participated in Enterprise Development Training, where she learned advanced embroidery techniques, product finishing, business planning, and basic financial management. More importantly, she began to understand how her work could connect to a wider market.The shift was not immediate, but it was steady.At the WRC, women were encouraged to organise into enterprise groups. Saeeda joined others with similar skills, and for the first time, her work became part of a collective process. Tasks were shared across embroidery, stitching, finishing, and packaging. Products that once took months to complete could now be produced more efficiently and with consistent quality. With support from the centre, she also began receiving orders from local markets and women-led online networks, including through WhatsApp. Her customer base expanded, and her pricing improved.Today, Saeeda earns approximately PKR 35,000 a month. The increase in income has brought stability to her household, but the change is not only financial.“After my husband passed away, I was broken and afraid… The Women Resource Centre gave me skills, confidence, and direction. Today, I can support my children with dignity and hope.” The centre has also reshaped how women in the community engage with work and with each other. It provides a space where they can move beyond home-based, informal production into structured, market-oriented activities, while building confidence and decision-making capacity.Saeeda’s experience reflects a broader shift underway across Gwadar and Lasbela districts. Under the project, women are not peripheral participants but a central focus. They make up more than half of the membership in community organisations, and the majority of productive assets and training opportunities are directed towards them. This approach is supported through a network of Women Resource Centres, designed to anchor skills development, enterprise formation, and market engagement at the local level. The results are visible beyond individual households. Across the project area, there has been a marked decline in the proportion of ultra-poor households earning below PKR 10,000, alongside a rise in households moving into higher income brackets. These trends indicate a gradual but measurable shift from subsistence to more stable livelihoods.At the same time, the process is still evolving. Building enterprise groups, strengthening market linkages, and sustaining local institutions such as WRCs requires time and continued engagement. For Saeeda, however, the direction is already clear.What began as solitary work within the confines of her home has grown into a more structured livelihood, connected to markets and supported by a network of women facing similar challenges. In that transition lies not only increased income, but a redefinition of what is possible.

1 of 5

Story

12 March 2026

From Risk to Relief: Transforming Medical Waste Management in Pakistan

Many district and tehsil hospitals across Pakistan face a serious but often overlooked problem: the safe disposal of hazardous medical waste. Used syringes, blood-soaked bandages, and other infectious materials are generated every day, yet proper disposal systems are either outdated or unavailable. In some cases, waste is stored for long periods, handled manually, or disposed of in ways that put hospital staff, waste handlers, patients, and nearby communities at risk. The absence of reliable incineration facilities creates a critical gap in the healthcare system, directly affecting both public health and environmental safety.To address this challenge, with support from the Global Fund and in coordination with the Common Management Unit (CMU) of the Ministry of Health Services, Regulations & Coordination (MoHSRC), UNOPS, under its “Developing Infrastructure for Incinerator Installation” project, has successfully constructed facilities in seven district hospitals across different provinces. The medical waste incinerators were procured by UNOPS Geneva office and have been installed in four hospitals as of now, including Tehsil Headquarter (THQ) Hospital, Muridke, Punjab; Institute of Chest Diseases (ICD), Kotri, Sindh; Civil Hospital, Mithi, Sindh; and Teaching Hospital, Khuzdar, Balochistan. The next installation is planned at Teaching Hospital, Turbat. Two sites are currently under construction, and work on the remaining three sites will begin in the next few weeks. Built according to international safety standards, with cavity walls and a properly designed ventilation system to ensure safe and controlled operation. Each installed incinerator can dispose of up to 150 kilograms of medical waste per hour, enabling hospitals to manage their waste efficiently, safely, and securely on-site.The impact goes beyond the structure itself. Staff at all these hospitals have received hands-on operational training, including live demonstrations of the full incineration cycle and safe waste-handling procedures. With four incinerators now operational as of now , they will significantly reduce infection risks for patients and surrounding communities, protect waste handlers from injury, and prevent harmful pollutants from entering the environment.“The installation of the incinerator at THQ Hospital Muridke marks a major step forward in safely managing infectious medical waste within the hospital. This initiative not only protects our healthcare workers but also safeguards our patients, the surrounding community, and the entire population of Muridke.”Dr. Ahmed Ammar Asif, Medical Superintendent, THQ Hospital Muridke This initiative demonstrates UNOPS’ strong expertise in infrastructure development and procurement globally, particularly in complex and high-challenge environments. By delivering safe, standards-compliant facilities and building local capacity, UNOPS is helping to strengthen Pakistan’s healthcare system in a practical and lasting way. The impact goes beyond waste disposal. It means safer hospitals for patients, improved working conditions for healthcare staff, and healthier communities. This project closes a long-standing gap in the health system and contributes directly to better health outcomes and responsible waste management for the future.

1 of 5

Story

04 March 2026

The Alchemy of Glaciers

In Pakistan’s northern mountains, where glaciers both sustain life and threaten it, women are transforming climate risk into livelihoods with support from UNDP’s GLOF-II Project.In Upper Chitral, Ayesha tends rows of beehives that have become her family’s lifeline after repeated climate-induced floods destroyed her home. Trained in climate-resilient beekeeping through the project, she now produces and sells honey in local markets, generating steady income for her household. “The bees carried me through when everything was washed away,” she says. Across the region, similar transformations are unfolding. In Kalam, Parveen has turned her small kitchen garden into a thriving enterprise, producing vegetables at commercial scale after receiving training, seeds, and climate-smart farming techniques. Her harvest now supports her entire family. In Gilgit-Baltistan, Sumaira and Fatima run a growing micro-business extracting high-value oils from local produce such as sea buckthorn, walnuts, and apricots using machinery provided through the project, cutting costs, increasing output, and expanding their customer base. Nearby, Laila leads a women-run wool processing unit that has doubled production while eliminating the dangerous manual labour that once caused serious health risks for workers. The improved technology allows women to produce yarn and handicrafts efficiently, access larger markets, and earn sustainable incomes. The GLOF-II Project goes beyond disaster risk reduction. By combining climate adaptation with skills training, equipment, and market access, it ensures communities, especially women, are not just protected from climate shocks but empowered to thrive despite them. In valleys where glaciers are rapidly changing the future, resilience is becoming a pathway to dignity,independence, and opportunity, one woman at a time.“Before UNDP’s support, I could grow only five to six sacks of vegetables, selling each for 4,000 to 5,000 rupees. But in 2024, I was able to make a profit of around $2,500, making my garden the provider of the family.” – Parveen, KalamStory by Shameen Raza, Communications & Reporting Officer, GLOF-II Project, UNDP Pakistan

1 of 5

Story

04 March 2026

When the Skies Cleared

Amina, a mother of six from Bishonai Kalay in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Buner Valley, lost everything in minutes. When a deadly cloudburst struck in August 2025, floodwaters tore through her village, sweeping away her crops, farmland, belongings, and the family’s only goat. “We can barely afford food now, let alone warm clothes for winter,” she says.Her husband, paralyzed for two years, cannot work. The harvest meant to sustain the family through winter vanished overnight. Like thousands across Buner, Amina now lives in an emergency tent, struggling with fear each time dark clouds gather. The devastation was widespread. Across Pakistan, the 2025 monsoon floods affected millions, destroyed homes, and wiped out vast stretches of farmland, reopening wounds still fresh from the catastrophic floods of 2022. UNDP teams were among the first responders in Buner, Swat, and Shangla, delivering agricultural toolkits, heat-efficient cooking stoves, and rapidly assessing damaged schools, health facilities, water systems, and roads to guide recovery. In November, Shoko Noda, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of UNDP’s Crisis Bureau, visited Pakistan to reaffirm UNDP’s long-term commitment to climate-resilient recovery. Speaking at a relief distribution in Buner, she praised the strength of survivors and emphasized that emergency support is only the first step toward rebuilding safer, stronger communities. Drawing on lessons from the 2022 Flood Recovery Programme, UNDP is pairing immediate relief with long-term solutions, from climate-resilient livelihoods and infrastructure to early warning systems and clean energy. For families like Amina’s, recovery is just beginning. But with sustained support, it is no longer a journey they must face alone.“Together with our partners, we will continue to advance climate-resilient farming, clean energy solutions, disaster risk reduction and the restoration of essential infrastructure, ensuring that recovery leads to lasting resilience.” – Shoko Noda, UN ASG and Director of UNDP Crisis Bureau Story by Muhammad Omer Hayat, Communications Officer, UNDP Pakistan; field quotes from Syeda Zainab, Programme Management Specialist and Rabiya Kamran, Communications Support Officer

1 of 5

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.

1 of 5

Health on wheels for flood-affected communities in Pakistan

View all

Press Release

17 April 2026

Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 16 April 2026

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes a contribution of US$2 million from the Government of Japan to support vulnerable communities affected by disasters across Pakistan.This contribution will enable WFP to provide food assistance to more than 45,000 people, impacted by monsoon floods and other shocks. It will also help communities restore assets and stabilise livelihoods for a stronger future.“Japan values its long-standing partnership with Pakistan and the World Food Programme in supporting vulnerable communities,” said H.E. AKAMATSU Shuichi, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan. “Through this contribution, Japan aims to ensure that families facing hardship have access to essential food while supporting efforts that help communities recover.”“We appreciate Japan’s ongoing support for the people of Pakistan,” said Coco Ushiyama, WFP Country Director and Representative in Pakistan. “This contribution not only addresses immediate food needs, but also assists families to protect what they have, recover from losses, and strengthen their ability to withstand future shocks. As climate risks intensify, such investments are critical to breaking the cycle of vulnerability and supporting more resilient communities across Pakistan.”Pakistan faces major climate risks including heatwaves, dry spells and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). Communities are still recovering from the 2025 monsoon floods that affected 6.9 million people. The National Disaster Management Authority warns that the 2026 monsoon season could see 22–26 percent higher than normal rainfall, raising the risk of severe flooding and highlighting the urgent need for timely support and preparedness.Japan is one of the World Food Programme’s most valued global partners. Since the 2022 floods, the Government of Japan has contributed more than US$10 million to support WFP’s humanitarian operations in Pakistan.About WFP: The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.Follow us on Facebook and Twitter: @WFPPakistan For more information, please contact: Anam Abbas, WFP/ Islamabad, anam.abbas@wfp.orgSajid Abbasi, Embassy of Japan, sajid.abbasi@ib.mofa.go.jp

1 of 5

Press Release

13 April 2026

Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 8 April 2026

ILO, TMA and PRGMEA sign MoUs to improve workplace practices in the textile and apparel sector and support more competitive, responsible supply chains.KARACHI, Pakistan (ILO News) – Pakistan’s textile and apparel enterprises will gain stronger support to improve labour standards, strengthen workplace practices, and remain competitive in global supply chains. The International Labour Organization (ILO), in collaboration with the Employers’ Federation of Pakistan (EFP), has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Towel Manufacturers Association (TMA) and the Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) to support sustainable growth across Pakistan’s textile and apparel sector.The signing ceremony, held at the ILO Office in Karachi, brought together representatives from key textile associations and EFP. The collaboration is supported through the ILO Better Work Programme and the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Formalization and Just Transition projects, which aim to promote responsible business practices and sustainable growth across Pakistan’s export-oriented textile supply chains.These partner associations represent leading industry actors that place a strong emphasis on labour and social safeguards. They are contributing to Pakistan’s continued access to international markets, including under preferential trade arrangements such as the European Union’s GSP Plus, through the progressive adoption of voluntary compliance measures aligned with evolving international labour, social, and environmental standards.Geir T. Tonstol, Director of the ILO Country Office for Pakistan, said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that economic growth in the textile sector is accompanied by stronger labour standards and responsible business practices. He noted that in today’s global marketplace, compliance with international labour and environmental standards is essential to maintain market access, build buyer confidence, and sustain export growth.Pakistan’s textile and apparel sector remains the backbone of the national economy, accounting for the majority of exports and providing livelihoods to millions of workers. Under the MoUs, the ILO will work with both associations to implement a joint workplan focused on strengthening enterprise-level compliance with international labour standards, improving occupational safety and health practices, promoting SME formalization, and enhancing productivity through ILO tools.Through its engagement in Pakistan’s textile supply chains, the ILO is supporting an expanded compliance base among producers and manufacturers, generating knowledge resources and compliance data to inform policy and workplace practices, and providing advisory services and training to enterprises and workers. These efforts aim to improve the quality of employment and promote decent work frameworks, with a strong focus on gender equality, access to opportunities, and strengthened social dialogue.Representing the Towel industry, Aamir Hasan Lari, Sr. Vice Chairperson of the Towel Manufacturers Association, emphasized that “Pakistan’s textile exporters operate in an increasingly competitive global market, where responsible production and compliance with international labour standards are critical. This collaboration with the ILO will support our member enterprises in strengthening workplace practices, enhancing productivity, and aligning with evolving global expectations.”Sheikh Shafiq, Chief Coordinator South of PRGMEA, highlighted that resilient supply chains depend on skilled workers, safe working environments, and responsible labour practices, adding that through this partnership, garment manufacturers will be better positioned to improve workplace systems, enhance productivity and quality, and strengthen Pakistan’s standing in international markets.Majyd Aziz, President of the Employers’ Federation of Pakistan, stressed that “Sustainable industrial growth depends on responsible business practices, strong labour standards, and effective social dialogue. Partnerships such as this are essential for strengthening Pakistan’s competitiveness and positioning the textile sector for future growth.”For further information please contact:Muhammad NumanCommunication OfficerEmail: numan@ilo.orgMobile: +92 303 5000041

1 of 5

Press Release

13 April 2026

Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 9 April 2026

Islamabad, 8 April 2026 – Through the Huqooq-e-Pakistan II project funded by the European Union (EU), the National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC) in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched the report “At the Margins of Protection: Child Labor in Pakistan’s Private Sector”. The publication brings together evidence and policy insights to better understand and address child labor across private sector value chains.In Pakistan, one in every ten children is engaged in child labor, often in conditions that are hazardous, exploitative, and hidden from formal oversight. The report's comprehensive analysis of child labor in Pakistan’s private sector finds that structural drivers such as poverty, limited access to education, and weak enforcement mechanisms continue to place children at risk, particularly in informal and supply chain-linked environments where exploitation remains least visible.The launch convened senior government officials, human and child rights experts, private sector representatives, civil society organizations, development partners, and UN agencies to discuss the report’s key findings.Philipp Oliver Gross, Deputy Head of Mission of the European Union to Pakistan, commended the NCRC’s efforts towards monitoring child labour, stating that, “The report being launched today is a key stepping stone in advancing the efforts to address the issue of child labour, which affects 8.6 million children in Pakistan. Ending child labour is a strong commitment of the Government of Pakistan, and at the heart of its international commitments, notably to continue benefitting from the GSP+ status.”Drawing on extensive consultations across provinces, key informant interviews, and a review of legal and institutional frameworks, the report identifies critical challenges including disjointed data systems, limited labor inspection coverage, and gaps in coordination between federal and provincial stakeholders. It highlights the need for integrated responses that link social protection, education retention, and livelihoods support.Dr. Samuel Rizk, UNDP Resident Representative, noted the pressing need for institutional reform, adding, “I commend NCRC’s leadership, and their unwavering effort to protect one of the most vulnerable segments of society – Pakistan’s children – in law, in policy and in practice. This is visible today in the launch of this report on child labor in Pakistan’s private sector, a practice that is not only widespread, but often remains hidden in informal sectors and lower tiers of supply chains. UNDP is committed to supporting Pakistan’s institutions, data systems, and policies that protect its most valuable asset – the future generation.”The report calls for a shift from fragmented interventions to a coordinated, systems-based approach, including harmonization of legal standards across provinces, strengthening labor inspections, improving data integration, and greater private sector accountability. These recommendations align with the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAP-BHR) which identifies child labor as a priority area. Ayesha Raza Farooq, Chairperson NCRC, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to ending child labor, describing the report as “not an endpoint but a roadmap for action. NCRC will continue to work with government institutions, development partners, and the private sector to translate these recommendations into concrete measures that protect children and strengthen accountability mechanisms across Pakistan.” The launch marks a key milestone under the Huqooq-e-Pakistan II project, reinforcing collective efforts to address child labor through evidence-based policymaking, institutional strengthening, and multi-stakeholder collaboration. For further details, please contact:Fizza Bangash, Head of Communications at UNDP Pakistan, at fizza.bangash@undp.org or +92 (51) 835 5631Samar Saeed Akhtar, Communications, Press and Information Officer, samar-saeed.akhtar@eeas.europa.eu, Delegation of the European Union to PakistanAli Abbas, Strategic Engagement Officer at the National Commission on the Rights of Child, at aliabbas91@gmail.com About UNDPUNDP 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 the planet.
Learn more at undp.org or follow @UNDP

1 of 5

Press Release

13 April 2026

Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 10 April 2026

ILOPRESS RELEASE ILO calls for stronger social protection for a changing world of workA new ILO report calls on Member States to reinforce social protection systems in response to evolving labour markets. Drawing on country experiences, it offers policy recommendations to ensure that all workers — across all types of employment — are protected against social risks and able to navigate profound labour market transformations.GENEVA (ILO News) – A new International Labour Organization (ILO) report calls for a decisive strengthening of social protection systems worldwide, warning that current gaps in coverage, adequacy, and financing are leaving millions of workers unprotected in an increasingly volatile global economy. The report, Universal social protection in changing labour markets: Protecting workers in all types of employment, emphasizes that reinforcing social protection systems is essential to ensure that all workers — across all types of employment — are protected against social risks and able to navigate profound labour market transformations.Closing critical gaps in protectionTo address persistent coverage gaps, the report calls for a systematic extension of coverage, ensuring that all workers, including temporary, part-time, and self-employed workers are adequately protected. It highlights country experiences in extending social insurance coverage to worker categories that often face gaps in protection, such as those in micro- and small enterprises, agriculture, domestic work, complex employment arrangements, and self-employment.Ensuring that workers in all types of employment are adequately covered not only supports social and economic objectives, but also facilitates transitions from the informal to the formal economy.From minimal protection to adequate and comprehensive systemsBeyond extending coverage, the report stresses the urgent need to improve the adequacy and comprehensiveness of benefits to increase their effectiveness in preventing poverty and reducing vulnerability.It argues that social protection must move beyond narrow, reactive approaches and provide reliable protection throughout people’s life cycles — supporting them during transitions between jobs, sectors, and forms of employment, and across critical life stages, from early childhood and school-to-work transitions to parenthood, periods of unemployment, illness or disability, to old age.Ensuring sustainable and equitable financingA central message of the report is that strengthening social protection requires sustainable and equitable financing mechanisms. It highlights the role of domestic resource mobilization — including social security contributions and progressive taxation — as core to financing strategies, complemented where necessary by public subsidies to include workers with limited contributory capacity. This approach enables risk-sharing, redistribution, and long-term system sustainability.The report also recognizes that for countries with insufficient fiscal capacity, international solidarity remains essential to support the development of social protection systems and to prepare for or respond to crises.Building resilient systems for the future of workIn a context shaped by climate change, technological transformation, and demographic shifts, the publication underscores that robust social protection systems are indispensable for resilience. They help workers and enterprises adapt to change, support transitions towards more sustainable economic activities, and reinforce social cohesion.The Director of the ILO’s Universal Social Protection Department, Shahra Razavi, highlighted:“Strengthening social protection systems is no longer optional — it is essential. We need systems that reach everyone, provide adequate protection, and are financed in a fair and sustainable way. This is the foundation for resilience, social justice, and a just transition in the changing world of work.”ReferenceInternational Labour Organization (ILO). 2026. Universal social protection in changing labour markets: Protecting workers in all types of employment. Geneva: ILO. UNODCPRESS RELEASE UNODC Pakistan, Pakistan Customs and ANF Host 8th IREN Expert-Level Meeting to Strengthen Interregional Response to Illicit Trafficking7-10 April - Karachi, Pakistan - The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Country Office for Pakistan in collaboration with Pakistan Customs and Anti Narcotics Force hosted the 8th Expert-Level Meeting of the Inter-Regional Network of Customs Authorities and Port Control Units (IREN) in Karachi, marking a significant milestone under the Global Passenger and Cargo Control Programme (PCCP).The four-day meeting is focusing on enhancing intelligence-sharing, improving risk-based targeting, addressing evolving trafficking threats, and further finetuning of the practical interregional collaboration. It brought together international experts, customs officials, and law enforcement agencies from eight IREN member countries to strengthen cooperation against illicit trafficking and transnational organized crime.Welcoming the participants, Syed Shakeel Shah, Member Customs (Operations) Pakistan Customs Service, said, “It is a matter of great pleasure and privilege for Pakistan to host the 8th Inter-Regional Experts Meeting under the auspices of UNODC and the World Customs Organization. This meeting holds special significance as the first experts-level IREN forum being convened in Pakistan. We deeply value this opportunity to bring together regional and international partners committed to strengthening cooperation, operational coordination, and mutual trust. Pakistan remains committed to working closely with UNODC, WCO, and participating countries to advance intelligence-led border management, address evolving trafficking threats, and promote secure and lawful trade across the region.”Arsalan Malik, Criminal Justice Advisor, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime emphasized the urgency and coordinated action, “In today’s interconnected world, organized crime moves faster than ever across borders. Strengthening cooperation and intelligence-sharing is no longer optional, it is essential.”Svetlan Savov, international expert, World Customs Organization highlighted the importance of balancing security and trade, “Customs administrations play a critical role in securing global supply chains while ensuring the smooth flow of legitimate trade.”Pakistan, as one of the pilot countries of the programme since 2007, has played a central role in regional cooperation in advancing the PCCP, from establishing its first Port Control Unit in Karachi in 2008 to becoming a regional training hub, Pakistan continues to lead capacity-building and operational cooperation and has since evolved into a regional training center. Pakistan coordinated the IREN Operation on Synthetic Drugs in 2024, demonstrating its leadership in tackling emerging drug threats.Background: A Network Built on CooperationThe IREN network, established in 2019 through a Memorandum of Understanding among participating countries, enables real-time information exchange to combat trafficking across regions. Today, it covers 36 port and airport control units and targeting centres in 9 countries, with over 160 trained officers, strengthening coordinated responses to illicit trade.Through the PCCP, implemented by UNODC in partnership with the World Customs Organization, International Civil Aviation Organization, and INTERPOL, countries are strengthening inter-agency cooperation and interregional practical collaboration to prevent the abuse of legitimate trade and transport corridors through intelligence-led and risk-informed detection of high-risk shipments and interception of illicit goods, including drugs, precursor chemicals, and other prohibited items.In Pakistan, these efforts have led to significant enforcement results, including the seizure of 1.7 tons of methamphetamine in 2024, 1.3 tons of methamphetamine and 2.6 tons of opium in 2025, along with over 14 tons of Red Phosphorus, approximately 100 kg of cocaine, and tons of psychotropic substances, heading to outer world.Discussions during the 8th Expert-Level Meeting capitalized upon key issues including emerging trafficking trends, balancing trade facilitation with enforcement, and the use of digital tools and artificial intelligence in border risk management. The programme also included practical workshops and a site visit to Karachi’s seaport facilities to demonstrate operational practices.The meeting reaffirmed a shared commitment among participating countries to enhance cooperation, strengthen border security, and disrupt organized crime networks. The agenda reflected the growing complexity of global trade and crime. Discussions were focused on the emerging trafficking trends and regional threat environments; balancing trade facilitation with enforcement; digitalization and the use of AI in risk management; and strengthening coordinated border controls and one-stop inspections. These practical components ensure that discussions translate into actionable strategies.For further information please contactMs. Rizwana Rahool, Advocacy and Communications Officer UNODC Pakistan Ph: +923018564255 email: rizwana.rahool@un.org غیرقانونی سمگلنگ کے خلاف علاقائی سطح کے اقدامات کو مستحکم بنانے کے لئےیو این او ڈی سی، پاکستان کسٹمز اور اے این ایف کے زیراہتمام آٹھویں آئرین ایکسپرٹ لیول میٹنگ کا انعقاد کراچی، پاکستان (7-10 اپریل) اقوامِ متحدہ دفتر برائے انسدادِ منشیات و جرائم کے کنٹری آفس پاکستان نے پاکستان کسٹمز اور انٹی نارکوٹکس فورس (اے این ایف) کے اشتراک سے کراچی میں کسٹمز اتھارٹیز اور پورٹ کنٹرول یونٹس کے علاقائی نیٹ ورک آئرین کی آٹھویں ایکسپرٹ لیول میٹنگ کا انعقاد کیا ۔ یہ اجلاس گلوبل پسنجر اینڈ کارگو کنٹرول پروگرام (پی سی سی پی) کے تحت ہونے والی سرگرمیوں میں ایک اہم سنگِ میل کی حیثیت رکھتا ہے۔چار روزہ اجلاس کے دوران انٹیلی جنس معلومات کا تبادلہ بڑھانے، خطرات کو پیش نظر رکھتے ہوئے ہدف بنانے کی کارروائیوں میں بہتری لانے، سمگلنگ کے نئے خطرات کا ازالہ کرنے اور علاقائی سطح پر عملی اشتراک کو مزید بہتر بنانے سمیت مختلف امور زیربحث آئے۔ غیرقانونی سمگلنگ اور بین البراعظمی منظم جرائم کے خلاف تعاون مستحکم بنانے کے لئے اجلاس میں آئرین کے آٹھ رکن ممالک کے قانون نافذ کرنے والے اداروں، کسٹمز حکام اور بین الاقوامی ماہرین نے شرکت کی۔ شرکاء کا خیرمقدم کرتے ہوئے ممبر کسٹمز (آپریشنز) پاکستان کسٹمز سروس سید شکیل احمد نے کہا کہ یو این او ڈی سی اور ورلڈ کسٹمز آرگنائزیشن کی زیرسرپرستی آٹھویں آئرین ریجنل ایکسپرٹس میٹنگ کی میزبانی پاکستان کے لئے اعزاز اور مسرت کا باعث ہے اور پاکستان میں منعقد کئے جانے والے پہلے ایکسپرٹ لیول آئرین فورم کے طور پر یہ اجلاس خصوصی اہمیت کا حامل ہے۔ انہوں نے مزید کہا کہ یہ اجلاس اس بناء پر بھی اہم ہے کہ اس کی بدولت علاقائی اور بین الاقوامی پارٹنرز باہمی تعاون، اعتماد اور آپریشنل رابطوں کو مستحکم بنانے کے لئے یکجا ہو رہے ہیں۔ انہوں نے اس عزم کا اعادہ کیا کہ پاکستان خطے میں محفوظ اور قانونی تجارت کو فروغ دینے، انٹیلی جنس معلومات کی بنیاد پر بارڈ مینجمنٹ بہتر بنانے اور سمگلنگ کے نئے خطرات پر قابو پانے کے لئے یو این او ڈی سی، ڈبلیو سی او، اور رکن ممالک کے ساتھ مل کر کام کرنے کا سلسلہ جاری رکھے گا۔یو این او ڈی سی کے کریمنل جسٹس ایڈوائزر ارسلان ملک نے باہمی روابط کی بنیاد پر فوری اقدامات کی اہمیت پر زور دیتے ہوئے کہا کہ آپس میں جُڑی آج کی دنیا میں منظم جرائم محض سرحدوں کے اندر تک محدود نہیں رہے جس کے پیش نظر تعاون کا استحکام اور انٹیلی جنس معلومات کا باہمی تبادلہ ایک لازمی ضرورت بن چکا ہے۔ورلڈ کسٹمز آرگنائزیشن کے بین الاقوامی ماہر سویتلان ساووف نے سکیورٹی اور تجارت کے درمیان توازن کی اہمیت پر روشنی ڈالتے ہوئے کہا کہ کسٹمز کے ادارے گلوبل سپلائی چین کو محفوظ بنانے کے ساتھ ساتھ جائز قانونی تجارت کے بہاؤ کو یقینی بنانے میں کلیدی کردار ادا کرتے ہیں۔پاکستان کا شمار ان ابتدائی ممالک میں ہوتا ہے جو 2007 سے اس پروگرام کا حصہ ہیں۔ پی سی سی پی کے سلسلے میں علاقائی تعاون بڑھانے میں پاکستان ایک مرکزی کردار ادا کر رہا ہے۔ پاکستان نے 2008 میں کراچی میں اپنا پہلا پورٹ کنٹرول یونٹ قائم کیا جو علاقائی سطح پر اہم تربیتی مرکز کا کردار ادا کر رہا ہے۔ تربیتی سرگرمیوں کے ذریعے استعداد میں بہتری کے ساتھ ساتھ پاکستان علاقائی تعاون کی سرگرمیوں میں بھی پیش پیش ہے۔ 2024 میں پاکستان نے سنتھیٹک منشیات کے خلاف آئرین آپریشن کی کوآرڈینیشن میں مرکزی کردار ادا کیا اور منشیات کے خطرات سے نمٹنے کے لئے اپنی قائدانہ صلاحیتوں کا بھرپور اظہار کیا۔پسِ منظر کی معلومات: آئرین، باہمی تعاون پر مبنی نیٹ ورکآئرین نیٹ ورک کا قیام 2019 میں رکن ممالک کے درمیان ایک مفاہمتی یادداشت کے ذریعے عمل میں آیا۔ اس نیٹ ورک کے ذریعے دنیا کے مختلف خطوں کے درمیان سمگلنگ سے نمٹنے کے لئے براہِ راست بنیاد پر معلومات کا تبادلہ کیا جاتا ہے۔ 36 پورٹ اینڈ ایئرپورٹ کنٹرول یونٹس سمیت 9 ممالک میں ٹارگٹنگ سنٹرز اور 160 سے زائد تربیت یافتہ افسران اس نیٹ ورک کے تحت کام کر رہے ہیں اور غیرقانونی تجارت کے خلاف اقدامات کو مربوط اور مستحکم بنانے کے لئے سرگرم عمل ہیں۔یو این او ڈی سی، پی سی سی پی پر ورلڈ کسٹمز آرگنائزیشن، انٹرنیشنل سِوِل ایوی ایشن آرگنائزیشن اور انٹرپول کے اشتراک سے کام کر رہا ہے۔ پی سی سی پی کے ذریعے رکن ممالک انٹیلی جنس معلومات کا تبادلہ، ہائی رِسک شپمنٹس کی نشاندہی اور منشیات، پری کرسر کیمیکلز اور دیگر ممنوعہ اشیاء سمیت غیرقانونی اشیاء کے خلاف کارروائیاں کرتے ہیں اور قانونی حیثیت کی حامل تجارتی و ٹرانسپورٹ راہداریوں کے غلط استعمال کی روک تھام کے لئے سرگرمِ عمل ہیں اور متعلقہ اداروں کے درمیان تعاون کو مستحکم بناتے ہیں۔پاکستان میں ان کاوشوں کی بدولت نفاذِ قانون کے شعبے میں نمایاں بہتری آئی ہے جن کے نتیجے میں 2024 میں 1.7 ٹن میتھ ایمفیٹامائن، 2025 میں 1.3 ٹن میتھ ایمفیٹامائن اور 2.6 ٹن افیون کے ساتھ ساتھ 14 ٹن سے زائد سرخ فاسفورس، تقریباً 100 کلوگرام کوکین، اور کئی ٹن نشہ آور مواد کو بیرون ملک سمگلنگ کے دوران قبضے میں لیا گیا۔آٹھویں ایکسپرٹ لیول میٹنگ میں سمگلنگ کے نئے رجحانات، نفاذِ قانون اور تجارت کے درمیان توازن اور بارڈر رِسک مینجمنٹ میں ڈیجیٹل اور آرٹیفشل انٹیلی جنس کے ذرائع کے استعمال سمیت متعدد اہم موضوعات کو زیرِبحث لایا گیا۔ پروگرام میں مختلف ورکشاپس اور آپریشنل سرگرمیوں کے مطالعہ کے لئے کراچی کی بندرگاہ کا دورہ بھی شامل تھا۔اجلاس میں رکن ممالک نے اپنے اس مشترکہ عزم کا اعادہ کیا کہ باہمی تعاون کو بہتر اور بارڈر سکیورٹی کو مستحکم بنایا جائے گا اور منظم جرائم کے نیٹ ورکس سے نمٹنے کی کوششیں کی جائیں گی۔ عالمی تجارت اور جرائم کی بڑھتی ہوئی پیچیدگیاں بھی ایجنڈا میں شامل تھیں۔ گفتگو کے دوران سمگلنگ کے نئے رجحانات، علاقائی سطح کے خطرات، تجارت اور نفاذِ قانون کے درمیان توازن، خطرات سے نمٹنے کے لئے اے آئی کے استعمال اور ڈیجیٹلائزیشن، اور بارڈر کنٹرول کے لئے باہمی رابطوں کے استحکام اور 'ون سٹاپ انسپکشن' جیسے موضوعات پر تفصیلی تبادلہ خیالات کیا گیا جن کی روشنی میں ان عملی سرگرمیوں کو موزوں حکمتِ عملیوں کی شکل دینے پر کام کیا گیا۔ مزید معلومات کے لئے رابطہ:محترمہ رضوانہ راہول، ایڈووکیسی اینڈ کمیونیکیشنز آفیسر، یو این او ڈی سی پاکستان، فون: +923018564255، ای میل:rizwana.rahool@un.org

1 of 5

Press Release

16 March 2026

Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 12 March 2026

2.8 million children protected against polio through UNICEF-KSrelief partnership in PakistanIslamabad, 12 March 2026 - UNICEF and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), have marked the successful completion of a joint initiative that helped vaccinate 2.8 million children from polio, while strengthening routine immunization and health systems nationwide.“Children in Pakistan continue to face significant health risks due to gaps in immunization, especially in underserved and hard-to-reach areas. This initiative marks a significant step forward in improving the health and well-being of children in Pakistan. With the support of KSrelief, we have expanded access to life-saving vaccines, strengthened immunization systems, and ensured that even the most vulnerable children are protected,” said Pernille Ironside, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan.The initiative aimed to strengthen routine immunization and help prevent polio outbreaks among children under five in Pakistan. It supported the vaccination of 2.8 million children across the country during two national polio campaigns in 2024.To enhance immunization service delivery, UNICEF completed the solarization of five health facilities in Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan, improving the reliability of cold-chain systems and strengthening overall health services, particularly in areas facing access and electricity challenges.UNICEF also strengthened immunization systems by building the capacity of more than 200 health workers across Islamabad, Balochistan, and Sindh at eight 24/7 birth-dose sites supported by KSrelief. These efforts improved timely vaccination at birth, strengthened follow-up for newborns, and reduced the number of zero-dose and defaulter children, lowering the risk of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.As a result of this partnership, 90 per cent of targeted newborns across eight KSrelief-supported 24/7 birth dose sites were vaccinated against tuberculosis, hepatitis B, and polio, ensuring immediate protection at birth and sustained follow-up care.With support from committed partners like KSrelief, UNICEF is helping to protect children from preventable diseases, starting from their earliest moments. ### Link to Project images: High-resolution images from the project can be accessed here: https://weshare.unicef.org/asset-management/2AM408F16G57?WS=SearchResults&FR_=1&W=1280&H=665 About 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 in Pakistan, visit: https://www.unicef.org/pakistan/ For further information, please contact:Karen ReidyUNICEF PakistanEmail: kreidy@unicef.orgTel: + 92 302 8284385 Amina Sarwar,UNICEF PakistanEmail: amsarwar@unicef.orgTel: +92 312 5190 383

1 of 5

View all