ISLAMABAD: The government on Thursday launched the country’s first National Action Plan (NAP) on Business and Human Rights to end discrimination and ensure labor, health and safety standards at workplaces.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari said Pakistan has become the first South Asian country to launch the national action plan.

She said the action plan covers all sectors of economy and has been prepared in consultations with all the stakeholders. She said an inter-ministerial committee will also be established to ensure its proper implementation. She said the business chambers and labor unions will also be made part of it.

Dr Shireen Mazari stressed that the rights of everybody including those of businesses and their labor needs to be protected. She said it is our obligation to protect the rights of people in every sector. Speaking on the occasion, Adviser on Commerce Razzaq Dawood said the NAP reflects our desire to protect the rights including those of women at the workplace.