- Ministry of Human Rights, with UNDP and EU support, unveils upgraded information system to track indicators and support evidence-based policymaking
ISLAMABAD 11 NOVEMBER 2026 (Khyber Mail) – Pakistan’s Ministry of Human Rights, with support from the United Nations Development Programme through the European Union-funded Huqooq-e-Pakistan II project, has launched an upgraded Human Rights Information Management System, a digital platform that will support the country’s reporting against its international treaty obligations, strengthen human rights monitoring and drive evidence-based policymaking.
The launch event, held on 11 November, brought together senior representatives from federal and provincial governments, human rights commissions, civil society, human rights defenders, international development partners and diplomatic missions. Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik called the launch a significant milestone in strengthening coordination between federal and provincial institutions. “The true measure of our commitment to human rights lies not just in evidence-based laws and policies, but in their effective implementation and their impact on people’s lives,” he said, thanking the European Union and UNDP Pakistan for their support and reaffirming the government’s commitment to a more transparent and accountable human rights system.
The platform was upgraded following a nationwide needs assessment and extensive consultations with provincial stakeholders. It now offers stronger digital infrastructure, standardised templates and more streamlined processes for collecting, managing and sharing data, which will support more consistent reporting and indicator-based tracking of Pakistan’s domestic and international human rights commitments. Drawing on international best practices, the indicator-driven system will consolidate information from sectors including health, education, law enforcement and justice. By supporting the disaggregation of data by location, gender, age and disability, it can help institutions develop a more detailed understanding of people’s experiences and needs and direct policy responses where they are most needed.
Jeroen Willems, Head of Partnerships at the Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan, welcomed the system as a practical contribution to EU-Pakistan cooperation on human rights. “Sustained action on human rights requires a clear understanding of progress over time,” he said, adding that the system can provide a valuable basis for recognising achievements, setting priorities and following through on commitments, including under the GSP+ trade scheme, and that through the Huqooq-e-Pakistan II project the EU is supporting Pakistan in translating these commitments into measurable action.
Abdul Khalique Shaikh, Secretary of the Ministry of Human Rights, said the system will strengthen Pakistan’s capacity to meet its international human rights reporting obligations through data integration, evidence-based reporting and effective follow-up on international recommendations, calling it an important shift towards digital human rights governance in Pakistan. Dr Samuel Rizk, Resident Representative of UNDP Pakistan, emphasised its role in responsive policymaking. “Behind every data point is a person, a family or a community,” he said, adding that UNDP is committed to working with the ministry and provincial line departments to strengthen the evidence that guides this work.
During the launch, Khaola Batool, Deputy Director at the Ministry of Human Rights, demonstrated the platform’s key features, highlighting how nationwide inputs will contribute to a consolidated picture of human rights progress.