Delays weaken Pakistan's rights commissions

Vacancies and adhoc appointments raise concerns over independent oversight

LAHORE:

Delays in appointing chairpersons and members to national and provincial commissions dealing with human rights, women, children and minorities have raised concerns over the independence and effectiveness of these institutions, as well as Pakistan's ability to meet its international human rights obligations.

The previous National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) completed its four-year term in November 2025, but a new commission has yet to be fully constituted. Meanwhile, the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) continues to operate under an acting head rather than a permanent chairperson.

Former NCHR chairperson Khawar Mumtaz said governments had failed to demonstrate seriousness in constituting and empowering human rights and women's commissions in a timely manner. She believed the appointment process for a new chairperson should be completed before the incumbent's term expires to prevent an institutional vacuum.

"Repeated reliance on temporary arrangements could undermine the independence and effectiveness of such commissions," noted Mumtaz. An amendment to the National Commission for Human Rights Act in 2026 introduced Section 4A, allowing the chairperson to remain in office for up to 120 days after completing the term, or until a new chairperson is appointed, whichever comes first. The previous commission's term ended in November 2025, meaning the 120-day transitional period has also elapsed, raising questions over the commission's legal and operational position.

NCHR Chairperson Rabiya Javeri Agha, however, said the commission was functioning effectively because it had recruited additional staff two years ago and currently had adequate human resources. She further added that the extension of the NCHR chairperson's tenure had been made in accordance with the law and was also consistent with practices followed by national human rights institutions in other countries.

When asked about the constitution of a new commission, she said the matter fell within the government's authority and questions regarding the appointment should be directed to the government.

Human rights activist and Centre for Social Justice Executive Director Peter Jacob said the National Commission for Minorities Rights Act had been passed by Parliament in December 2025, but the process of appointing the commission's chairperson and members had yet to be completed.

Records of the National Assembly and Senate show that the relevant legislation was passed on December 16, 2025. The National Commission on the Rights of Child has also faced gaps in representation from some provinces and Islamabad. The Ministry of Human Rights invited applications in July 2026 for the appointment of members from Punjab, Islamabad and Balochistan.

At the provincial level, the position of chairperson of the Punjab Commission on the Status of Women has remained vacant since 2019. The Lahore High Court in June 2026 directed the Punjab government to complete the appointment within 45 days, while the commission's own website continues to show the chairperson's position and several members' seats as vacant.

The government has meanwhile announced various initiatives in the human rights sector, including the National Action Plan on Human Rights 2026. The Ministry of Human Rights says work is also under way to improve implementation of international human rights treaties and strengthen the capacity of national institutions.

Civil society representative and lawyer Abdullah Malik opined that incomplete commissions could affect independent monitoring, reporting and recommendations concerning Pakistan's obligations under UN treaties, international human rights reviews, commitments relating to women and children, and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The NCHR holds an 'A' status accreditation from the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), making its independence and effective functioning particularly important for Pakistan's international standing.