A statement by the United Nations Human Rights Council has noted that Pakistan’s human rights profile is on an upward trajectory.

The UN Human Rights Council on Monday adopted the Universal Periodic Review outcomes of Pakistan, Japan and Sri Lanka, according to the statement.

Concerning Pakistan, the Vice-President of the Council said out of the 340 recommendations received, 253 enjoyed the support of Pakistan and 87 were noted. Around 70% of the 340 recommendations, which totaled 253, were accepted. Pakistan noted 84 recommendations and rejected three politically motivated assertions, the statement said.

It was the fourth review and the council noted that Pakistan made remarkable progress compared to its third review.

Pakistan’s performance in human rights had seen a marked improvement in the fourth review compared to the third review, the statement said, adding that only 50 recommendations had been accepted under the third review which rose to 70 in the fourth.

“Pakistan paid particular attention to the rights of women and children, as well as education and health, among others,” it added said.

“Pakistan said Pakistan had consistently demonstrated its strong political will to promote and protect all human rights of everyone,” the council said in its concluding remarks about Pakistan.

The council also said that Pakistan had recognised that more work was needed regarding human rights in the country especially in strengthening institutional mechanisms.

It also said Pakistan’s efforts to improve the role played by women in society were ‘commendable’ and women’s political participation in the country was better than the rest of the region.

The report added that Pakistan had made good efforts to achieve Sustainable development goals and had taken serious steps to fight the effects of climate change in the country.

However, the report also expressed concern over Pakistan’s tightening of blasphemy laws this year and some speakers called for them to be repealed.

Concern was also expressed over enforced disappearances and crackdowns against peaceful political protests.

“It was essential that Pakistan heed recommendations to prevent arbitrary arrests, torture and ill treatment and end the widespread use of the death penalty.”

However, the report also added that Pakistan’s efforts to protect the economic and social rights of its people ‘remained under stress’ like other developing countries.