Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Indigenous and Tribal Populations Convention, 1957 (No. 107) - Pakistan (Ratification: 1960)

Article 2 of the Convention. Coordinated and systematic action for the protection of the tribal population. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in August 2013 which includes information in relation to the previous comments. It also notes the observations made by the Pakistan Workers’ Federation (PWF) in a communication dated 30 July 2010, reiterating its comments of 21 September 2008, in which it highlights the need for further action by the Government to promote the welfare of the tribal population which continues to be affected by poverty and unemployment. The Government indicates in its report that it is committed to improving the situation of indigenous peoples. It adds that, however, a major obstacle is the lack of law and order in the tribal areas. The Committee notes the Government’s indications that due to unlawful activities of the Taliban, the normal course of development has been hindered as infrastructure, such as schools, hospitals and roads, is being destroyed. The Committee previously noted that the conflict in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) had severely impacted on the implementation of the FATA Sustainable Development Plan (SDP) 2006–15. The Government indicates that various foreign funded projects are anchored in the FATA Development Programme and the FATA SDP and operate in accordance with the Post-Crisis Needs Assessment (PCNA). An integrated approach is pursued and intended to improve services while also increasing the transparency of the planning process and allowing the population to assert their right to public services. The Government’s report cites many national and international partners aiding to implement programmes in the tribal areas, such as staff of hospitals, schools and universities, communities, village elders, Jirgas, politicians, civil society representatives and development cooperation organizations (including the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ)). The Committee hopes that the Government will be able to restore law and order in the tribal areas and invites the Government to provide in its next report detailed information on the results achieved in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Plan in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. It also reiterates its request for information on the measures taken to apply the Convention to the population concerned in the Provincially Administered Tribal Areas (PATA) of the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) and of Baluchistan.

The Committee is raising other points, including matters related to education in the tribal areas and the exploration and exploitation of natural resources, in a request addressed directly to the Government.