Barrister Aqeel Malik, Minister of State for Law and Justice, led Pakistan’s delegation at the 84th Session of the United Nations Committee Against Torture (CAT). The delegation included Secretary, Mr, Abdul Khalique Shaikh, Director General (HR), Mr. Muhammad Arshad, Director General (IC), Dr. Muhammad Arif, Director (IC), Mr. Aziz Iqbal and Director, Mr. Zishan Munir from the Ministry of Human Rights; Director General (CPI), Ms. Rabbea Hadi and Inspector General (Prisons), Punjab, Mian Farooq Nazeer.
During a constructive and substantive dialogue with the Committee, Pakistan presented its progress in addressing torture and reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to eliminating torture in all its forms. The delegation highlighted key legal and policy reforms, strengthened institutional accountability mechanisms, and measures aimed at safeguarding human dignity.
Pakistan underscored its resolve to fully uphold its international human rights obligations and reiterated its commitment to continued engagement and cooperation with the United Nations human rights mechanisms and international partners. The delegation emphasized that these ongoing efforts reflect Pakistan’s determination to strengthen the rule of law and promote the protection of fundamental human rights.
Members of the committee asked different questions from the Pakistani delegation regarding Gender Based Violence, custodial torture, military courts, facilities in detention, and overcrowding in jails, among others Pakistani delegates responded to their queries, keeping in view the policies, legal, and administrative initiatives taken by different institutions of the state. After the completion of the review, the UN CAT committee will share their concluding observations to further improve the human rights situation in Pakistan.
