ISLAMABAD (special crosspondent) – Mr. Mohammad Naciri, Chief of Staff to the Executive Director of UN Women, held a high-level meeting with H.E. Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, Federal Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights, to explore avenues for reinforcing the longstanding partnership between the Government of Pakistan and UN Women. The discussions focused on critical areas including the empowerment of women and girls, gender equality, and inclusive governance.

Delegation Composition and Collaborative Efforts

The UN Women delegation accompanying Mr. Naciri included Mr. Jamshed M. Kazi, Country Representative for UN Women Pakistan, and Ms. Fahmida Iqbal Khan, Deputy Country Representative. During the session, Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar lauded the sustained cooperation with the international body, noting the Ministry of Human Rights’ active collaboration in enhancing access to justice and implementing robust policies designed to protect the rights of women and girls.

Progress on National Policy Against Violence

A central topic of the consultation was the status of the draft National Policy on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG). This framework has been developed through extensive technical support from UN Women, involving deep consultations with provincial governments, civil society representatives, and academia. Minister Tarar reiterated the government’s firm commitment to finalizing a comprehensive policy framework aimed at strengthening the national capacity for prevention, protection, and response to gender-based violence. Following recent high-level diplomatic engagements like those seen with Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, this meeting reinforces Pakistan’s proactive stance in international human rights forums.

Regional Cooperation and Future Initiatives

The meeting addressed the significance of the upcoming SAARC Conference as a vital regional platform for fostering cooperation on gender equality and inclusive development. Furthermore, the participants evaluated strategies to strengthen Pakistan’s gender data ecosystem to facilitate evidence-based policymaking and ensure adherence to international commitments, such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Discussions also touched upon the critical intersection of digital inclusion and responsible AI, specifically regarding efforts to mitigate technology-facilitated violence against women.

Appreciation for Pakistan’s Leadership

Mr. Mohammad Naciri presented a formal letter of appreciation from the Executive Director of UN Women, commending Pakistan for its successful hosting of the 9th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women. The recognition extended to Pakistan’s assumption of the Chairmanship for the next two years and its continued leadership in regional gender empowerment initiatives. As Pakistan continues to expand its diplomatic footprint, such as recent discussions regarding strategic cooperation in AI, the partnership with UN Women remains a cornerstone of the nation’s human rights agenda. Senator Tarar concluded the meeting by underscoring Pakistan’s resolve to continue building strong institutional frameworks to secure a more equitable future for all citizens.