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KARACHI, Oct 06 (APP):The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), established a dedicated Business and Human Rights (BHR) Desk at its head office in Karachi with the support of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The BHR Desk will serve as a central hub for creating awareness, capacity-building, policy advocacy, and compliance guidance on business-related human rights issues and equipping FPCCI’s vast network of 296 trade bodies- including chambers of commerce, industry associations, and women’s chambers- with the tools to identify, prevent, and mitigate adverse human rights impacts across supply chains.
President FPCCI Atif Ikram Sheikh, in a statement issued here on Monday, termed the initiative as a significant step toward integrating human rights principles into Pakistan’s business ecosystem, aligning with the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAP on BHR) endorsed by the Government of Pakistan in 2021.
He stated that the key focus areas of FPCCI-UNDP BHR Desk include labor rights, environmental sustainability, gender equality, and ethical sourcing to foster a business environment that balances profitability with social responsibility.
The FPCCI chief appointed VP FPCCI Qurrat ul Ain as the Chairperson of FPCCI-UNDP BHR Council.
Qurrat ul Ain, speaking at the launch ceremony, said that the desk will be the catalyst for transforming challenges into competitive advantages on the world stage as embedding human rights into business operations will not only safeguard vulnerable communities but also unlock new opportunities for innovation and resilience in Pakistan’s economy.
She highlighted the practical benefits of the desk as well as risks associated with ignoring human rights and elaborated, “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.”
SVP FPCCI, Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, stressed that in an era where global investors prioritize ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria, the desk will position Pakistani businesses to meet international standards, enhance export competitiveness, and attract sustainable foreign direct investment. The BHR Desk will collaborate with the Ministry of Human Rights, international organizations like the UN Global Compact, and civil society partners to host workshops, develop toolkits, and monitor implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, he informed.
VP and Regional Chairman Sindh, FPCCI, Abdul Mohamin Khan, VP Aman Paracha, UNDP consultant Sheikh Hammad Amjad and UNDP Rights-Based Development Expert Amar Hassan addressed the session and explained the aims and objectives of FPCCI-UNDP BHR Desk.