Mr. Kesoo Mal Kheal Das Kohistani, Minister of State for Interfaith Harmony

Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan, H.E. Riina Kionka,

Minister for Minorities Affairs, Government of Punjab, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora,

Chairperson NCHR, Rabiya Javeri,

Special Rapporteurs and OHCHR colleagues, UN RC and UN colleagues, 

Esteemed partners from Government, the judiciary and law enforcement agencies, civil society, international partners, and - most importantly - the advocates and defenders of human rights gathered here today. 

As-salamu alaykum. I’m honored to address you at the opening of this landmark conference, “From Promise to Action: Advancing SDG 16 for Justice and Reform.” This is the first major dialogue under the recently launched Huqooq-e-Pakistan II project supported by the EU. 

Beyond policies, conventions, and laws, any significant change in the culture and practice of human rights requires champions, leadership, foresight, courage, and commitment. I’m pleased to see that everyone here falls into those categories. 

Today, we’re talking about justice and reform and the power of leadership. Earlier this year we saw an example of this. As part of a clear and deliberate nationwide reform effort, the honourable Prime Minister launched the Case Assignments and Management System (CAMS) — a digitized system designed to provide transparent and speedy justice for litigants. So, there is notable progress in legislative reforms, digitalisation of legal processes, and the expansion of virtual courts, along with improvements in law enforcement capabilities. This is a clear reflection of a commitment to ensuring justice and security for all. 

For this Case Management initiative, among others federally and provincially that we will hear about today and tomorrow, I’d like to commend the Government of Pakistan for its continued efforts in tackling head-on some of these difficult subjects: strengthening the rule of law, improving institutional accountability, and expanding access to justice. 

Another side of this coin is the work undertaken by human rights watchdogs and defenders’ commissions— also well represented in this room today. With A-status global accreditation, the National Commission for Human Rights, ably led by Chairperson Mme. Rabiya Javeri, deserves significant credit for its unwavering commitment to promoting and safeguarding a culture of rights in Pakistan, especially on difficult issues such as prisons and corrections, preventing torture, and advocating for juvenile justice. Congratulations on the release of funds yesterday by the Economic Coordination Committee as well. 

And if the coin had three sides, then another side is at a grassroots level— closest to people, where civil society and community based-based organizations add a critical dimension to human rights protection, witnessing and observing, accompanying, reporting, and speaking for those who are not aware of their rights or cannot/do not speak-up. That is why when we talk about maintaining or expanding civic space, it is often this space – for human rights defenders – that we visualize in our mind. Today’s conference, with all of us here together, is what this open, inclusive civic space looks like. 

Yet, we stand at a critical juncture — one that demands urgent and clear action on several complementary fronts: 

The first is Pakistan’s criminal justice system, which even with notable developments recently, still faces systemic barriers that hinder access to justice, particularly for those who need it the most. In the 2024 World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index, Pakistan ranks 129th out of 142 countries globally and 5th out of 6 in South Asia. This low ranking underscores pervasive challenges: delayed trials, archaic practices and institutional inefficiencies, and lack of legal aid. 

Using publicly available figures, some of the numbers speak for themselves: prisons are operating at 152 percent capacity, and three-quarters of detainees in the pre-trial detention waiting for their day in court. These are not just statistics; they represent people—individuals and families whose lives are paused indefinitely, whose voices go unheard, and whose fundamental rights are comprised. 

With all decision-makers in the room today, this conference gives us the opportunity to reimagine Pakistan’s penal system – and what it would mean to shift from a punitive to a rehabilitative approach that addresses overcrowding and inhumane conditions beyond just physical infrastructure. The stigma of detention often lingers, making social and economic reintegration difficult even after release. 

A second front is to ensure that law enforcement agencies are well-equipped to provide dignified, predictable services, and are held accountable when they fall short. Reforming these institutions requires long-term, sustained investments in professional development, people-centred policies and laws, and undoing the daily injustice of structural violence that disproportionately affects marginalized groups, women, religious minorities, and economically disadvantaged communities. 

A third and last front is the judicial system, where immediate and strategic reform actions can make the difference in the lives of millions. With over 2.4 million cases pending at various levels of the judiciary in Pakistan, we must recognize and prioritize the transformative potential of technological solutions such as virtual courts, digital case management, and online legal aid. We are proud in UNDP to have worked alongside many partners here to establish virtual courts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Gilgit Baltistan, which have already led to a 130 percent increase in case hearings in KP in 2024 alone. 

At UNDP, we know that justice reform – as policy and practice – does not happen in isolation. It requires the collective will of government institutions, civil society, and international partners. This is why we have been actively working with the Provincial Governments of Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and KP through our Rule of Law Programme, as well as through the Decentralization, Human Rights, and Local Governance (DHL) Project in collaboration with the Ministry and the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR). These efforts reflect our commitment under the UN’s Pact for the Future – to uphold human rights, promote the rule of law, and ensure equal justice for all. 

As international partners, our commitment is clear: to support Pakistan in upholding its human rights commitments — from the GSP+, to the SDGs, to core international treaties — because justice is the foundation of sustainable development, human security, and prosperity. And this is where I share a note of appreciation to the entire EU family, who despite serious challenges to development finance, continue with their clear commitment to governance, rule of law, and human rights programming in Pakistan. This is not something we, or anyone, can take for granted. 

Today is an opportunity to go beyond cursing the darkness, but instead, lighting a candle and committing to solutions. As Muhammad Ali Jinnah rightly stated, “The scrupulous maintenance and enforcement of law and order are the prerequisites of all progress.” These words are a timely reminder that meaningful reform aligned with SDG 16, must begin with strong, accountable institutions grounded in fairness and the rule of law. This reform can only be owned and led by Pakistan and will undoubtedly positively spill into all social and productive sectors. 

Thank you, and I look forward to the transformative discussions that will emerge from this conference.