Pakistan elected to the UN HRC for the 2026-2028 term with an overwhelming majority of 178 votes in the UN General Assembly election held on October 14, 2025. This historic achievement marks Pakistan’s sixth term on the prestigious 47-member United Nations Human Rights Council, reflecting the international community’s continued confidence in Pakistan’s commitment to promoting and protecting human rights globally.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar expressed profound gratitude to all UN member states for their support, emphasizing that Pakistan elected to the UN HRC represents recognition of the country’s strong credentials and contributions in strengthening the global human rights framework. Pakistan has pledged to work with the international community based on TRUCE principles: Tolerance, Respect, Universality, Consensus-building, and Engagement.
A Legacy of Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Service
Pakistan’s consistent election to the Council stems from decades of substantive contributions to international peace and human rights. As one of the world’s largest contributors to UN peacekeeping operations, over 235,000 Pakistani peacekeepers have served with distinction in 48 missions across 29 countries since 1960. Currently, Pakistan maintains over 8,000 peacekeepers deployed globally, with 181 brave soldiers having made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
Pakistan has also demonstrated exceptional humanitarian leadership by hosting millions of Afghan refugees for over four decades. For more than twenty years, Pakistan was the largest refugee-hosting nation globally, providing protection, education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities to approximately 3.2 million Afghans. This sustained commitment reflects the humanitarian principles that underpin Pakistan’s approach to human rights.
Comprehensive Legislative Reforms
Pakistan elected to the UN HRC builds upon significant domestic reforms that have strengthened the country’s human rights framework. Landmark legislation includes the Transgender Persons Protection of Rights Act 2018, making Pakistan one of the first nations globally to recognize transgender persons based on self-identification legally. The Torture and Custodial Death Prevention and Punishment Act 2022 criminalized torture by public officials, aligning domestic law with international conventions.
Women’s rights have been significantly advanced through multiple legislative measures, including the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act 2010, the Anti-Rape Ordinance 2020, and the Domestic Violence Prevention and Protection Act 2020. These laws create comprehensive safeguards against gender-based violence and discrimination.
The 18th Constitutional Amendment introduced Article 25-A, guaranteeing free and compulsory education to all children aged 5-16 years as a justiciable fundamental right. Pakistan has also enacted the Protection of the Rights of Religious Minorities Act 2020 and the Bonded Labor System Abolition Act 1992, demonstrating a commitment to protecting vulnerable populations.
Pakistan Elected to UN HRC: Recognition of Institutional Strength
A significant milestone in Pakistan’s election to the UN HRC was the National Commission for Human Rights achieving A-status accreditation by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions in 2024. This prestigious designation, achieved in the first attempt, places Pakistan’s human rights institution alongside those of the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, and France, granting it participation rights at UN Human Rights Council sessions.
Pakistan has ratified seven out of nine core UN human rights treaties and undergone four Universal Periodic Review cycles, demonstrating transparency and willingness to engage constructively with the international community on human rights issues.
Advocacy for Occupied Territories
Throughout its UNHRC membership, Pakistan has consistently advocated for human rights in occupied territories, particularly Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine. Pakistan has delivered joint statements on behalf of over 50 countries expressing concern over systematic human rights violations in these territories, calling for international investigations and implementation of UN Security Council resolutions.
Path Forward
Pakistan elected to the UN HRC for the sixth term provides an opportunity to build on existing achievements and strengthen implementation mechanisms. The election reflects international recognition of Pakistan’s role as a consensus-builder committed to advancing all facets of human rights, including civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights, alongside the right to development.
As Pakistan assumes its seat for 2026-2028, it carries forward a legacy of constructive engagement and unwavering commitment to universal human rights principles based on the TRUCE framework. This achievement represents not just recognition of past contributions but confidence in Pakistan’s future role in strengthening the global human rights architecture.
