A/HRC/22/12 the provinces. Under the new formula, provinces will receive 57 per cent of federal resources. 23. In 2008, the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) was introduced to supplement the existing network and to provide immediate relief to low-income families enabling them to absorb the shock of rising prices of food and fuel. Since then, BISP had evolved into the country’s main social safety net and benefitted more than 6 million families and provides health and life insurance, micro-credit and technical and vocational training. Women are its prime beneficiaries. 24. On women’s rights the Minister reported that the Government had taken a number of legal, institutional and administrative initiatives for the advancement of women. This series of legislation included the Prevention of Anti-Women Practices (Criminal Law Amendment) Act 2011, the Acid Control and Acid Crime Prevention Bill 2010, the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill and laws on sexual harassment. Political and economic empowerment of women was among the top priorities, with 33 per cent seats reserved for women in local government, 17 per cent in the National Assembly and Provincial Assemblies and 12 per cent in the Senate. The Government had also reserved 10 per cent quota for women in Central Superior Services across the board in the public sector. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 25. During the interactive dialogue, 85 delegations made statements. Recommendations made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report. 26. South Africa welcomed the enactment of the law creating an independent National Human Rights Commission in May 2012. It commended efforts to fight the challenge of terrorism and to improve the socio-economic condition of citizens. It made recommendations. 27. Spain thanked Pakistan for its participation in the universal periodic review exercise, and commitment in the work of the Human Rights Council. It congratulated Pakistan for the de facto moratorium since 2009 on the application of the death penalty. Spain made recommendations. 28. Sri Lanka commended the enactment of several laws to strengthen women’s rights and to combat violence against women. It highlighted the significance of the enactment of a new law creating an independent National Commission for Human Rights. It made recommendations. 29. The Sudan commended achievements in the implementation of UPR recommendations. It noted that Pakistan had highlighted challenges it faced, particularly violence and terrorist operations and bomb attacks and external drone attacks affecting many victims. Sudan asked about the legal basis for the use of drone strikes which had an impact on human rights. 30. Sweden expressed appreciation for the adoption of a number of laws and steps taken to protect women and girls from violence and discrimination. It welcomed the Government’s condemnation of the attack against the activist Malala Yosufzai. It made recommendations. 31. Switzerland congratulated the ratification of CAT, as recommended during Pakistan’s first-cycle review. It welcomed that most of the national reservations formulated upon ratification had now been lifted. It made recommendations. 6