Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 25 January 2023

OHCHR

MEDIA ADVISORY

Pakistan’s human rights record to be examined by Universal Periodic Review

GENEVA (25 January 2023) – Pakistan’s human rights record will be examined by the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group for the fourth time on Monday 30 January, in a meeting that will be webcast live.

Pakistan is one of the States to be reviewed by the UPR Working Group during its upcoming session from 23 January to 3 February. Pakistan’s first, second and third UPR reviews took place in May 2008, October 2012 and November 2017, respectively.

The documents on which the reviews are based re: 1) national report - information provided by the State under review; 2) information contained in the reports of independent human rights experts and groups, known as the Special Procedures, human rights treaty bodies, and other UN entities; 3) information provided by other stakeholders including national human rights institutions, regional organizations, and civil society groups.

The three reports serving as the basis for the review of Pakistan on 30 January can be found here.

Location: Room 20, Palais des Nations, Geneva

Time and date: 9:00–12:30, Monday, 30 January 2023 (Geneva time, GMT +1 hour)

The UPR is a unique process which involves a periodic review of the human rights records of all 193 UN Member States. Since its first meeting was held in April 2008, all 193 UN member States have been reviewed thrice within the first, second and third UPR cycles. During the fourth UPR cycle, States are again expected to spell out steps they have taken to implement recommendations posed during their previous review,s which they committed to follow up on, and highlight recent human rights developments in the country.

The delegation of Pakistan will be led by Hina Rabbani Khar, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

The three country representatives serving as rapporteurs (“troika”) for the review of Pakistan are Gambia, Nepal and Argentina.

The webcast of the session will be at https://media.un.org/en/search/categories/meetings-events/human-rights-council

The list of speakers and all available statements to be delivered during the review of Pakistan will be posted on the UPR Extranet.

The UPR Working Group is scheduled to adopt the recommendations made to Pakistan at 15.30 on 1 February. The State under review may wish to express its positions on recommendations posed to it during its review.

For more information and media requests, please contact Rolando Gómez, HRC Media Officer, at rolando.gomez@un.org, Matthew Brown, HRC Public Information Officer, at matthew.brown@un.org, or Pascal Sim, HRC Public Information Officer, at simp@un.org.

To learn more about the Universal Periodic Review, visit https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/upr/upr-main.

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UNODC

PRESS RELEASE

         Launch ceremony of Precursor Management System (PMS) – an online portal for registering and applying NOC for importing controlled precursor chemicals, by the industry

25 January 2023, Islamabad - The Ministry of Narcotics launched its newly automated Precursor Management System – an online portal for registering and applying ‘No Objection Certificate (NOC)’ for importing controlled precursor chemicals by the industry. This newly automated system has been technically supported by UNODC, through funding support by the Government of Japan.

The formal launch ceremony was chaired by Nawabzada Shahzain Bugti – Federal Minister for Narcotics Control. Other high-ranking participants included Federal Secretary Ministry of Narcotics Control, Chairman of Pakistan Chemical manufacturers Association (PCMA), and Representative of UNODC Country Office Pakistan (COPAK). Officials from various federal ministries and line departments, senior representatives from the industry and the civil society and international donor representatives also attended the ceremony.

While warmly welcoming the participants, Dr. Jeremy Milsom, Representative UNODC Country Office in Pakistan highlighted that the new web-based Precursor Management System has significantly enhanced capacities of these national authorities – to collect or receive, process, interpret data and approve requests related to import and legitimate industrial use of controlled precursor chemicals – in a more secure and real-time manner. “This technical capacity-building initiative will improve Pakistan’s precursor control regime and improve ‘ease-of-doing business’ for the Pakistani chemical and pharmaceutical industry. Hence, this capacity development has paved the way for attaining objectives of Government of Pakistan’s Anti Narcotics Policy 2019, and our shared aspirations under the provisions of UNODC’s Pakistan Country Programme III (2022-2025)”, said Dr. Milsom.

A comprehensive presentation on the PMS was delivered by Mr. Sabino Sikandar Jalal – Senior Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Narcotics Control. He apprised the participants design and functioning of web-based information management and application processing system, that has replaced manual processing system, focusing public companies’ registration, requests for importing controlled precursor chemicals for industrial use, issuance of ‘No Objection Certificate’, and submission of utilization details of imported controlled chemicals.

In his remarks, Mr. Zafar Mahmood – Former Chairman of the PCMA expressed satisfaction over the newly automated Pakistan’s Precursor Management System. He highlighted that one of the leading objectives of the PCMA was to anticipate, suggest, and respond to Government of Pakistan’s regulatory policy and practices. “The PCMA is committed to attracting new investments and improving Pakistan’s chemical exports. We continue endeavors to achieve competitiveness through sustainable growth and adoption of global best practices, in close coordination with the Government of Pakistan”, said Mr. Mahmood

In her remarks, Ms. Humaira Ahmed, Federal Secretary, Ministry of Narcotics Control highlighted that the newly automated Precursor Management System is a manifestation of Government of Pakistan’s broader vision, to automate the entire process of registration and issuance of ‘No-Objection Certificate (NOC)’ to the chemical and pharmaceutical industry for importing, exporting and utilizing controlled precursor chemicals. “The requests for grant of NOC can now be generated electronically and all steps (including document submission, utilization details and import licenses) have also been automated. It will also significantly improve transparency and trust among the public-private stakeholders concerned”, she said.

In his closing address, Nawabzada Shazain Bugti, Federal Minister for Narcotics Control thanked UNODC for its continued technical support, that led to design and automation of Pakistan’s Precursor Management System. He highlighted that the upgradation is the centerpiece of Government of Pakistan’s modernization drive, and it has greatly contributed towards Government’s long-term goals and objectives. “The Government of Pakistan is committed to strengthening its precursor control regime – in pursuance of our commitments to address the World Drug Problem – under the principle of common and shared responsibility. This upgradation has enabled the Ministry of Narcotics Control in drug regulation, and countering drug abuse and associated health issues affecting the young Pakistani strata, particularly in educational settings”, said Mr. Bugti.

Despite limited resources and technological and research gaps, the Government of Pakistan has been taking concrete measures both at the policy and operational levels. Pakistan’s National Anti-Narcotics Council is chaired by the Prime Minister of Pakistan, that comprises several federal and provincial ministries and law enforcement agencies. Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Policy 2019 envisions strong drug demand reduction, supply reduction, and international cooperation. The Policy also envisions to develop an effective drug monitoring and intelligence system – for undertaking necessary supply and demand reduction activities in the affected areas and communities.

For further information or media enquiries please contact:

 Ms Rizwana Rahool, Communication Officer; Email: rizwana.rahool@un.org, Cell: 03018564255