The consultation brought together members of civil society to deliberate on strengthening the role of stakeholders in advancing responsible business practices in Pakistan particularly Human Rights Due Diligence.

Welcoming the participants, the Secretary of MoHR emphasized the growing importance of the Business and Human Rights (BHR) agenda globally and in Pakistan. He highlighted the government’s crucial achievements in advancing BHR while encouraging civil society to act as active partners in promoting safe, equitable, and rights-based business practices.

Speaking on behalf of the EU Delegation to Pakistan, Ms. Marta underscored the importance of BHR in fostering productivity, enhancing corporate reputation, and reducing legal and financial risks through proactive human rights due diligence. She also assured the EU’s continued provision of technical assistance in support of Pakistan’s BHR efforts. Adding to this, BHR Specialist Ms. Amber highlighted UNDP’s vision for advancing the BHR agenda and reiterated UNDP’s continued support for the implementation of the NAP-BHR and for MoHR’s initiatives in this area.

Deputy Director MoHR, Ms. Khaola Batool, shared Pakistan’s journey in implementing the NAP-BHR, highlighting key achievements against its action points. Director (IC) MoHR, Mr. Arif Leghari, discussed the genesis of the BHR agenda and reiterated its significance in the Pakistani context.

The presentations were followed by an engaging group discussion focusing on the Human Rights Due Diligence Checklist developed by MoHR. Civil society participants provided constructive feedback, offering suggestions for further refinement to ensure its practical applicability and effectiveness.

The session concluded with a shared commitment by all stakeholders to continue working collectively for the advancement of business and human rights in Pakistan.