E/C.12/PAK/CO/1
United Nations
Economic and Social Council
Distr.: General
20 July 2017
Original: English
Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Concluding observations on the initial report of Pakistan*
1.
The Committee considered the initial report of Pakistan (E/C.12/PAK/1) at its 30th
to 32nd meetings (see E/C.12/2017/SR.30-32), held on 12 and 13 June 2017, and adopted
the present concluding observations at its 47th meeting, held on 23 June 2017.
A.
Introduction
2.
The Committee welcomes the initial report submitted by the State party, despite the
long delay in submission, and the supplementary information provided in the written replies
to the list of issues (E/C.12/PAK/Q/1/Add.1). The Committee appreciates the constructive
dialogue held with the State party’s high-level delegation.
B.
Positive aspects
3.
The Committee welcomes the ratification by the State party of:
(a)
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, in 2011;
(b)
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, in 2010;
(c)
The Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading
Treatment or Punishment, in 2010;
(d)
The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the
involvement of children in armed conflict, in 2016, and the Optional Protocol to the
Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child
pornography, in 2011.
4.
The Committee welcomes the adoption by the State party of the Anti-Honour
Killings Laws (Criminal Laws Amendment) Act, 2014, in 2016.
C.
Principal subjects of concern and recommendations
Domestic application of the Covenant
5.
The Committee is concerned that Covenant rights have not been fully incorporated
into the domestic legal order and, in particular, that the Constitution of the State party does
not recognize economic, social and cultural rights as fundamental rights that are justiciable,
but recognizes them only as policy guidelines.
6.
The Committee recommends that the State party take all measures necessary to
ensure that Covenant rights are fully incorporated into its domestic legal order with a
* Adopted by the Committee at its sixty-first session (29 May-23 June 2017).
GE.17-12298(E)