The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louis Arbour, who is visiting Pakistan from June25 to 27, called on Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday. The Foreign Minister apprised the High Commissioner of the government's priorities in the field of human rights.
He stated that Pakistan was completely committed to improving the situation of all vulnerable sections of society, including women, children, and minorities. Qureshi highlighted government's commitment to address the issues of disappearances, torture and illegal detention. While discussing the security situation on Pakistan-Afghanistan border, the Foreign Minister underlined the government's resolve to take all necessary, political and security, measures to improve it.
The High Commissioner appreciated Pakistan's contribution as member of Human Rights Council. While acknowledging Pakistan's lead role in the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and G-77, the High Commissioner expressed hope that Pakistan would utilise its profile to strengthen the human rights dimension of development.-PR