In a strategic move to prevent potential market exclusion and enhance export competitiveness, the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) today partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to establish a dedicated Business and Human Rights (BHR) Desk, aiming to align the nation”s businesses with stringent international Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria.
Atif Ikram Sheikh, President of the FPCCI, announced that the new desk, located at the apex trade body”s head office, is designed to integrate human rights principles throughout Pakistan”s commercial ecosystem. The initiative corresponds with the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, which the Pakistani government endorsed in 2021.
The BHR Desk will function as a central resource for awareness campaigns, capacity-building programs, policy advocacy, and compliance support on human rights matters related to commerce. According to the FPCCI chief, it is intended to provide its network of 296 trade organizations with the necessary tools to identify, avert, and address adverse human rights impacts within their supply chains.
Key areas of focus for the joint FPCCI-UNDP venture include labor rights, environmental sustainability, gender equality, and ethical sourcing. The goal is to cultivate a business environment where profitability and social responsibility are balanced.
Mr. Sheikh has appointed FPCCI Vice President Ms. Qurrat Ul Ain as the Chairperson of the newly formed FPCCI-UNDP BHR Council. During the launch ceremony at Federation House, Ms. Ain explained that embedding human rights into business operations helps safeguard vulnerable communities and creates new opportunities for economic innovation and resilience.
She further noted the practical implications for the business community, stating that ignoring human rights in a globally connected economy can lead to reputational harm and exclusion from key markets. “This desk will empower our members with actionable insights and training to navigate these complexities, ensuring that Pakistani enterprises lead with integrity while thriving in global value chains,” she remarked.
FPCCI Senior Vice President, Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, stressed that with global investors increasingly prioritizing ESG standards, the desk will better position Pakistani companies to meet international requirements and attract sustainable foreign direct investment.
Mr. Magoon added that the BHR Desk plans to collaborate with stakeholders such as the Ministry of Human Rights, the UN Global Compact, and civil society organizations to conduct workshops, create informational toolkits, and oversee the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
Abdul Mohamin Khan, a Vice President and Regional Chairman for Sindh, underscored the project”s commitment to inclusivity, particularly for women and marginalized populations. He described the initiative as a way to amplify voices often sidelined in business discourse and to pave the way for a more just and equitable private sector.
The objectives of the FPCCI-UNDP BHR Desk were also detailed during the session by FPCCI VP Aman Paracha, along with UNDP representatives Sheikh Hammad Amjad and Amar Hassan.