ANNEX 1: PUNJAB ACTION PLAN ON HUMAN

RIGHTS
THEMATIC AREA-I POLICY AND LEGAL REFORMS
Outcome 1: Punjab Policy Strategy for promotion and protection of Human Rights
Proposed Actions Responsible Agencies Time
frame
Development and launching a comprehensive Human Rights and
three years action plan (year wise) aligned with Minorities Affairs
Punjab Human Rights Policy 2018.

Outcome 2: Legislative Reforms

i. Constitution of a dedicated Joint Committee Ministry of Human Rights,
comprising of Provincial Aligned IPC, Punjab Human Rights
Departments, Academia and Civil Society and Minorities Affairs,
Organizations with responsibility to identify Punjab Commission on the
gaps and review discriminatory legislation Status of Women, Punjab
on human rights in line with constitutional Child Protection and
fundamental rights and international Welfare Bureau
commitments.

ii. Enactment/review and enforcement of Ministry of Human Rights,

following legislation in line with IPC, Punjab Human Rights
fundamental rights enshrined in and Minorities Affairs,
Constitution and UN Conventions ratified by Punjab Commission on the
Government of Pakistan. Status of Women, Punjab
Child Protection and
Welfare Bureau

Immediate Enactment:-
 Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention Punjab Human Rights and
and Punishment) Bill Minorities Affairs, Punjab
 Hindu Marriages Bill Law & Parliamentary Affairs
 Christian Marriages Amendment Bill
 Divorce Amendment Bill, (Christian)
 Compulsory Immunization Bill
 Cost of Litigation Bill
 Senior Citizens Bill (ISLAMABAD)
 Prisons Amendment Bill
 The Dowry and Bridal Gifts Restriction
 Act (1976)
Punjab Labour Department,
Effective Enforcement:- Punjab Women
 Bonded Labor System (Abolition) Act Development Department,
1992 Punjab Commission on the
 Protection Against Harassment of Status of Women, Punjab
Women at Workplace Act 2010 Ombudsman under PAHWA
 Criminal Law (2nd Amendment) Act 2011 2010, Punjab Home
(Acid Control & Acid Crime Act) Department, Punjab
 Criminal Law (3rd Amendment) Act 2011 Prosecution Department,
(Anti Women Practices Act) Punjab Health Dept, Punjab
 Criminal Law (Amendment) (Offences in Child Protection Bureau
the name or pretext of honour) Act
2016
 Criminal Law (Amendment) (Offences
related to Rape) Act 2016
 Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 2016
(Violence Against Children)
 Punjab Destitute & Neglected Children
Act 2004
Punjab Law &
Parliamentary Affairs,
Review of following Legislations:-
Punjab Human Rights &
 Child Marriage Restraint Act 1929
Minority Affairs
Department, PCSW, Punjab
Child Protection and
Welfare Bureau
 Prevention and Control of Human
Trafficking Ordinance 2002 Punjab Law &
Parliamentary Affairs,
Punjab Human Rights &
Minority Affairs
 Human Smuggling Ordinance 2002 Department & Punjab
 Transgender Persons Act 2017 Home Department

Punjab Law &

Parliamentary Affairs,
iii. Research study to review and identify legal Punjab Human Rights &
provisions to be enacted for harmonization Minority Affairs
of legislation / amendments in the PPC and Department, Punjab Home
CrPC in line with Government of Pakistan’s Department
international human rights obligations.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Ministry of Human Rights,
Ministry of Law & Justice,
Punjab Law &
 Parliamentary Affairs
Department, Punjab Human
Rights & Minority Affairs
Department
Outcome 3: Administration of Justice
i. Establishment of fund for free legal aid to Regional Directorates of
the poor victims of human rights violations. Ministry of Human Rights,
Punjab Law &
Parliamentary Affairs
Department, Punjab Human
Rights & Minority Affairs
Department, Punjab Social
ii. Speedy justice for victims of Human Rights Welfare & Bait-ul-maal
violations through provision/strengthening Department
of human, technical resources to law
enforcement agencies. Probation officers,
prosecutors, forensic science and capacity -do-
building of medico-legal experts.

iii. Following Recommendations of Cabinet

Committee on Enactment of Special Laws for
provision of speedy justice be implemented
immediately:
 A mechanism of inspectorate to review
the pendency position and performance
of subordinate courts
 Amendments in judicial procedures to
fix time limits for adjudication of cases
and appeals
IPC Division, MoHR, Cabinet
Division, Ministry of Law &
Justice, Punjab Law &
Parliamentary Affairs
Department, Punjab Human
Rights & Minority Affairs
Department, Law & Justice
Commission, Punjab Home
Department, IG Punjab,
Punjab Health Department

 Role of Ombudsman to be strengthened

and enhanced in respect of public
complaints and to consider establishing
District Ombudsmen to redress
grievances at grass-root level

 Identification of recommendations of
various judicial commissions pertaining
to Speedy Justice still not implemented

iv. Improve forensic sciences; upgrade physical

facilities and equipment to investigate
Gender Based Violence crimes on scientific
 grounds in each province. -do-

THEMATIC AREA-II IMPLEMENTING KEY HUMAN RIGHTS PRIORITIES

Outcome 1: Protection of Women, Child, Transgender Rights &Elimination of Gender
Based Violence (GBV)
Proposed Actions Relevant Agencies Time
Frame
i. Formulation of Punjab Policy guidelines on PCSW
Gender Based Violence.

ii. Study to review all discriminatory MoHR, Punjab Law &

legislation against women which give Parliamentary Affairs,
impetus to gender based violence. Punjab Human Rights &
Minority Affairs Department,
iii. Establishment of new Crisis Centers for PCSW
women and strengthening/standardization
of existing centers/services at district level MoHR, Punjab Law &
in collaboration with Civil Society Parliamentary Affairs,
Organizations to provide rehabilitation Punjab Human Rights &
services for victims and survivors of Minority Affairs Department,
violence. PCSW
iv. Design and execution of Men Engage
Model Program to eliminate Gender Based
Violence.

Outcome 2: Protection of rights of minorities

i. Establishment and operation of an Punjab Law & Parliamentary
independent Punjab Commission for Affairs, Punjab Human
Minorities (PCM) to monitor violation of Rights & Minority Affairs
minorities’ rights through allocation of Department
adequate financial resources as well as
placement of technically trained and
sensitized human resource.

ii. Formulation of Provincial Policy Guidelines -do-

for promotion and protection of rights of
minorities including formulation of by-
laws, for all minorities. -do-

iii. Strengthen and enhance the effectiveness

of Interfaith Harmony Committees
established at the district level with active
engagement of the district administration
and police and a strong periodic reporting -do-
regime for the concerned
divisions/departments.
 iv. Effective enforcement of Sections 99-A and
295-A of PPC that are related to criminalize Punjab Human Rights &
the incitement to religious hatred that Minority Affairs Department,
leads to imminent violence, including hate Punjab Home Department
speech

v. Special security arrangements (Special

Police) for protection of places of worship Punjab Law & Parliamentary
of minorities through adequate Affairs, Punjab Human
deployment of well equipped, trained and Rights & Minority Affairs
sensitized security personnel. Department

vi. Launching of a comprehensive

program/package for socio-economic uplift
of the members of the minority
communities including:
 Increase in funds and number of
scholarships
 Provision of financial assistance to
vulnerable groups from minority -do-
community, i-e elderly, widows,
orphans, disabled and forced labourers
 5% quota for minorities in Provincial Punjab Law & Parliamentary
Program and other social safety nets Affairs, Punjab Human
Rights & Minority Affairs
vii. Ensure enforcement of 5 percent quota for Department
jobs allocated for minorities in letter and
spirit

viii. Encourage participation and dialogue of

political leadership and members of Punjab
Assembly in the festivals of minorities as a
gesture of solidarity and giving importance
to the rights of minorities.
Outcome 3: Protection of child rights

i. Ensure implementation of Article 25-A of Punjab Law & Parliamentary

the Constitution that mandates the state to Affairs, Punjab Human
free education for children between the Rights & Minority Affairs
ages 5-16 years. Department, Punjab Child
Formulation of child protection strategy Protection and Welfare
inclined with relaxant legal framework and Bureau, Punjab School
Punjab Human Right policy 2018 Education Department

Punjab Law & Parliamentary

ii. Progressively prohibit, restrict, and
regulate child labor with a view to its
ultimate elimination through a phased and
multi-sectoral strategy.
iii. Effective enforcement of laws for
protection of children from trafficking for
prostitution, organ transplant, forced
labor, drug smuggling, begging, forced
child marriages and other exploitative
forms of work.
iv. Review and revision of Juvenile Justice
System Ordinance 2000 and to protect
children from the impact of terrorism and
ensure compliance with international
commitments.
v. Implementation of Juvenile Justice System
Act 2018 at Provincial Level.
Outcome 4: Rights of Persons with Disabilities
i. Review and revision of Disabled Persons
(Employment and Rehabilitation)
Ordinance, 1981 in line with fundamental
rights and UNCRPD
ii. Implementations of building codes to
create accessible physical environment for
mobility of all type of PWDs. In-lined with
Human Right Approach and Minimum
Standard/SOP.
iii. Mandatory Disabled Impact Assessment
(DIA) in development planning for inclusion Disabled Persons
of PWDs.
Outcome 5: Rights of Senior Citizens
i. Drafting and implementation of laws
for senior citizens in Punjab
Affairs, Punjab Human
Rights & Minority Affairs
Department, Punjab Child
Protection and Welfare
Bureau, Punjab Labour
Department
Ministry of Interior, Punjab
Home Department, Punjab
Child Protection and Welfare
Commission
Ministry of Law & Justice,
Punjab Law & Parliamentary
Affairs, Punjab Human
Rights & Minority Affairs
Department, Punjab Child
Protection and Welfare
Bureau
Punjab Law & Parliamentary
Affairs, Punjab Human
Rights & Minority Affairs
Department, Punjab Social
Welfare & Bait-ul-maal,
Punjab Council for
Rehabilitation of Disabled
Persons
Punjab Human Rights &
Minority Affairs Department,
Punjab Social Welfare &
Bait-ul-maal, Punjab Council
for Rehabilitation of
-do-
Punjab Law & Parliamentary
Affairs Dept, Human Rights
&Minority Affairs
Department, Punjab Social
ii. Facilitation centers for Senior Citizens Welfare & Bait-ul-maal
Department

Punjab Social Welfare &

Bait-ul-maal Department

Outcome 6: Rights of Transgender Persons

i. Constitution of Joint Committee to provide Punjab Law & Parliamentary
recommendations for Rights of Affairs Dept, Human Rights
Transgender persons &Minority Affairs
ii. Launching of a comprehensive Department, Punjab Social
“Mainstreaming Program” consisting of Welfare & Bait-ul-maal
Skill Development, medical & psychological Department
care, legal counseling and
sports/recreational facilities.

Outcome 7: Jail Reforms

iii. Constitution of Joint Committee of federal Ministry of Law, Punjab Law
and provincial governments to provide & Parliamentary Affairs,
recommendations for Jail Reforms Interior and Provincial Home
iv. Launching of a comprehensive “Jail Departments
Inmates Rehabilitation Program” consisting
of Skill Development, medical & -do-
psychological care, legal counseling and
sports/recreational facilities.
v. Provision of missing facilities/infrastructure
of Jails and Jail Staff Colonies all over -do-
Punjab

THEMATIC AREA-III CROSS-CUTTING INTERVENTIONS FOR PROMOTION AND

PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
Outcome 1: Human Rights Education & Sensitization
Proposed Actions Relevant Agencies Time
Frame
i. Inclusion of human rights and civic Punjab Law & Parliamentary
education in the curriculum of primary and Affairs, Punjab Human
secondary & higher secondary school level Rights and Minority Affairs
with particular focus on respect and Department, Punjab School
promotion of interfaith dialogue and Education Department,
harmony. Punjab Literacy and Non
Formal Basic Education
Department
ii. Inclusion of human rights and peace
education in the curriculum of higher
education, Law, & Social Sciences. Grading HEC, Punjab Higher
of human rights subject at public sector Education Dept
universities in lined with the University of
 Punjab.
iii. Introduction of master program in human Establishment Div., M/o
rights at public and private sector Interior, Ministry of Foreign
universities with collaboration of HEC Affairs, Judiciary, Punjab
Home Department
iv. Inclusion of human rights education with
respect to GOPs international
commitments in the curriculum of public
sector national training and capacity
building institutes such as National Police
Academy, Federal Judicial Academy, Civil
Services Academy, Jail Staff Training
Institute, National School of Public Policy,
and FIA Academy, Foreign Services
Academy and provincial training institutes
and Academies etc.
Outcome 2: Right Based Approach to Development Planning In-Lined with
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
i. Institutionalize/Incorporate right based Punjab Human Rights and
cross-cutting human rights issues such as Minority Affairs Department,
right of education, health and nutrition, Punjab Planning and
reproductive health, social protection Development Department,
(minimum standards for all) etc. in Punjab Local Government &
developmental planning both at federal, Community Development
provincial and district level. Department

ii. Adequate budgetary and resource

allocation for promotion and protection Punjab Planning and
of human rights and gender initiatives in Development Department
Public Sector Development Program
(PSDP)

iii. Establishment of District Working Groups

to ensure institutionalization of social, Punjab Local Government
economic and cultural rights of people in Department
development agenda

iv. PC-I to “Implement Action Plan on human

rights”, awareness and sensitization Punjab Law and
among public servants through pre and Parliamentary Affairs,
post induction and special training Punjab Human Rights and
programs. Minority Affairs Department,
Punjab Planning and
Development Department
Outcome 3: Media, Awareness Raising & Advocacy
i. Development of Media Policy for Punjab Information and
promotion and protection of Human Culture Department
 Rights including code of ethics,
responsible reporting, reporter’s
sensitization on HR, Award/Incentives etc.

ii. Public Awareness campaign be launched Regional Directorate of

on following theme of human rights:- human rights, PCSW, Punjab
Child Protection & Welfare
Bureau Punjab Information
and Culture Department
 20 Rights, 20 Ads: Design and Launch
awareness and advocacy campaign on
rights of women, children, and -do-
minorities for behavioral change in
society.
 Conduct Seminars, Workshops,
Conferences debates on prevention of
human rights violations and extremism -do-
for behavioral change of general
masses and duty bearers on human
rights issues
 Awareness and sensitization: Organize
seminars/workshops for promoting
interfaith harmony, Media (TV channels
-do-
and radio) to create awareness on
rights of minorities by dedicating
appropriate time and programs.
 Sensitization of Lady Health Workers
(LHWs) on human rights issues and
dissemination of Information Education
& Communication (IEC) material for
-do-
sensitization of mothers and children
through involvement of LHVs Network
throughout the country at the grass-
root level.
 Design and launch a comprehensive
-do-
Media awareness Campaign on child
rights including protection of children
from abuse and exploitation amongst
general public and duty bearers.
iii. Public Service messages on human rights
issues to be aired by Private TV channels
as a commitment undertaken in the
issuance of license to allocate 10% of on
airtime for the programs in public interest
under article 20 (e) of PEMRA Ordinance
2002
THEMATIC AREA-IV: INTERNATIONAL/UN TREATY IMPLEMENTATION
Outcome 1: International Treaty Implementation
Proposed Actions Relevant Agencies Time
Frame
i. Strengthening and effective functioning of M/o HR, Ministry of
Treaty Implementation Cells (TICs) Commerce, Ministry of
established by provincial governments for Foreign Affairs, Punjab Law
the implementation of core conventions at & Parliamentary Affairs
the grass-root level. Dept, Punjab Human Rights
Dept
ii. Capacity building of the officials of relevant
Ministries/Divisions/Departments
particularly Treaty Implementation Cells
and focal persons of respective provincial -do-
department.

iii. Examination of policies, legal frameworks

and existing institutional mechanisms in
the context of Core Human Rights
Conventions ratified by Government of -do-
Pakistan to identify gaps in their
implementation.

iv. Capacity building and outreach of HRMA

department at grass route level.
THEMATIC AREA-V INSTITUTIONAL INTERVENTIONS
Proposed Actions Relevant Agencies Time
Frame
Outcome 1: Establishment and effective functioning of Punjab Human Rights
Institutions (PHRIs)
i. Strengthening and effective operation of Punjab Law & Parliamentary
Punjab Commission on the Status of Affairs Dept, Punjab Human
Women (PCSW) to monitor Rights & Minority Affairs
violence/crime against women. Dept, Punjab Women
ii. Strengthening and effective operation of Development Department
Punjab Child Protection Bureau to
monitor violence/crime against children. Punjab Law and
Parliamentary Affairs,
iii. Enactment for a Punjab Commission for Punjab Human Rights &
Minorities (PCM) giving it status of Minority Affairs dept
statutory body to protect and promote
the rights of minorities
THEMATIC AREA-VI IMPLEMENTATION & MONITORING MECHANISM
Proposed Actions Relevant Agencies Time
 Frame
Outcome 1: Prevention of HR violations and Redressal Mechanism
i. Establishment of Helpline for legal advice Ministry of Human Rights
and redressal to victims of human rights
violations.
Creation of a link between the helpline.
M/o HR, Bureau of Statistics,
ii. Establishment of Management Information National Police Bureau
System to institutionalize mechanism for
disaggregated data collection, and
technical analysis of data to monitor and
evaluate the patterns of emerging human
rights trends across Pakistan

Outcome 2: Financial Support to victims of human rights violations

i. Effective operationalization of Human Ministry of Human Rights
Rights Relief and Revolving Fund

ii. Effective operationalization Diyat, Arsh -do-

and Dam Fund,

iii. Effective operationalization of Women in -do-

Distress and Detention Fund

Outcome 3: Implementation & Monitoring of Action Plan

i. Establishment of Provincial Task Forces Punjab Human Rights and

under the chairpersonship of Provincial Minority Affairs Dept
ministers for LJ&HR with line departments
and law enforcement agencies for
implementation of their respective action
Plans.