Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Monday presented Pakistan?s national report on Universal Periodic Review (UPR) before the Human Rights Council in Geneva. Photo: UNHRC 

GENEVA: Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Monday presented Pakistan?s national report on Universal Periodic Review (UPR) before the Human Rights Council in Geneva. 

This was the third report by Pakistan since the inception of UPR process in 2006, the first two being in 2008 and 2012.

Asif outlined the wide range of legislative, institutional, administrative and policy measures to advance and safeguard human rights in Pakistan. 

He highlighted the substantial progress that the country has made and reaffirmed Pakistan?s commitment to promote human rights in the spirit of constructive dialogue, engagement and cooperation. 

Pakistan?s active role and contribution as a consensus builder within the international human rights policy debates was also underscored.

117 countries participated in Pakistan?s UPR. An overwhelming majority of states welcomed Pakistan?s advancement of Human Rights Agenda and made suggestions. 

The foreign minister was accompanied by a high-level delegation, which included Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Law Barrister Zafarullah Khan, Minister of Human Rights Punjab Khalil Tahir Sindhu, and Pakistan?s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva Ambassador Farukh Amil.