A/HRC/37/13 119. The delegation of Pakistan stated that the Women’s Parliamentary Caucuses were consensus-building mechanisms across party lines that promoted the adoption of laws, policies and programmes in favour of women and vulnerable groups. 120. Recent achievements included: the Elections Act, encouraging the participation of women in elections as both candidates and voters; a review of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to identify the changes necessary in the relevant laws; the introduction in the Senate of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill; the enactment of the laws against rape and “honour” crimes; adoption of the law on the protection of children and the National Commission on the Rights of the Child Act to bring the legal system into conformity with the Convention on the Rights of the Child; the adoption of the National Health Vision (2016–2025) to set national priorities with clear budgeted targets; and the introduction of the bill on compulsory child immunization. 121. Achievements at the provincial level included the adoption of the Punjab Protection of Women against Violence Act; acts on domestic violence in Sindh and Baluchistan; the Punjab Fair Representation of Women Act; and the Punjab Marriage Restraint (Amendment) Act. 122. Institutions, such as the Inter-provincial Ministerial Group, were working for the promotion and protection of human rights across the country. 123. The delegation stated that the application of the death penalty was in full compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It was applicable only for the most serious crimes. It could not be imposed on an individual under the age of 18. 124. The blasphemy laws were non-discriminatory in nature, dealt with offences against all religions and were applied to Muslims and non-Muslims alike, and a number of safeguards were in place to prevent their abuse. 125. Freedom of expression was preserved through article 19 of the Constitution. The safety of journalists was of paramount importance in view of the instrumental role played by them in ensuring freedom of the press, fostering a culture of accountability and protecting citizens’ rights. 126. Pakistan was committed to preventing any torture or ill-treatment by agents of the State. Allegations of torture had been fully investigated and disciplinary action taken against those responsible. 127. Regarding the problems faced by women and girls in getting speedy justice, the Ministry of Human Rights was undertaking broad training of prosecutors and court officials. 128. Qatar welcomed the establishment of the National Commission for Human Rights and the national development agenda 2030. 129. The Republic of Korea welcomed the adoption of laws to protect the rights of women and children. 130. The Republic of Moldova welcomed the national Action Plan for Human Rights, although it regretted the end of the moratorium on the death penalty. 131. The Russian Federation welcomed the inclusion of topics on tolerance, human rights and democracy in education and the efforts to combat extremism and discrimination. 132. Saudi Arabia commended the measures to combat terrorism, including the law on preventing abuse of cyberspace by terrorists and extremists. 133. Senegal welcomed the creation of the Ministry of Human Rights and specific mechanisms for vulnerable groups. 134. Sierra Leone applauded the legal reforms to ensure the human rights of people living in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. 135. Singapore commended the efforts to promote the rights of persons with disabilities in Vision 2025 and the eleventh five-year plan. 8