A/HRC/22/12 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 of 18 June 2007, held its fourteenth session from 22 October to 5 November 2012. The review of Pakistan was held at the 11th meeting, on 30 October 2012. The delegation of Pakistan was headed by Hina Rabbani Khar, Minister for Foreign Affairs. At its 17th meeting, held on 2 November 2012, the Working Group adopted the report on Pakistan. 2. On 3 May 2012, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Pakistan: Chile, China and Congo. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21, the following documents were issued for the review of Pakistan: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/14/PAK/1); (b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/14/PAK/2 and Corr.1); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/14/PAK/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, Norway, Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Pakistan through the troika. These questions are available on the extranet of the universal periodic review. I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. The Minister reminded the Working Group that Pakistan was a founding member of the Human Rights Council and during its prior tenure on the Human Rights Council, from 2006-2011, it played an active role in its work and a constructive role in building convergences between the West and the Islamic world on the most contentious and challenging issues in the Council. Pakistan welcomed the engagement with the international community through an open and constructive dialogue on its human rights record and took this review exercise as an important opportunity to share with the international community the efforts that it is making for the promotion and protection of human rights. 6. The Minister stated that the UPR had been a catalyst for Pakistan to bring positive changes in legislation, policy and practice. Following the completion of its first UPR, a process of consultation and dissemination of information was launched. Recommendations that were accepted in 2008 were shared with the relevant Government departments for follow-up. 7. The Minister underlined that Pakistan was a democratic, pluralistic and progressive State in the comity of nations. Pakistanis aspire to a society based on equality, the rule of law, respect for diversity, and justice. Pakistan’s Constitution reflected all these aspirations and Pakistan was committed to fulfilling these aspirations despite numerous challenges and 3