Mining tragedies outcome of lapses, lack of regulations: minister

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Law, Justice, and Human Rights Azam Nazeer Tarar has expressed deep concern over recent fatal explosions and mine collapses, highlighting that these tragic incidents expose significant safety lapses and inadequate regulatory oversight.

The federal minister said that despite mining being a formal economic sector, it continues to be treated informally in practice, with insufficient safety measures, absence of protective equipment, and limited access to training, health services, and compensation for mine workers.

Federal Minister for Human Rights, Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, was chairing the fifth meeting of the Inter-Ministerial and Inter-Provincial Steering Committee on the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAP-BHR). It was also attended by representatives from all provinces, relevant federal ministries, departments, and other key stakeholders.

Tarar stressed the urgent need for a coordinated national response to close the gap between policy and implementation. While existing laws, including the Mines Act 1923 and related labour legislation, do provide for worker safety and rights, their enforcement remains inconsistent and weak. The minister underlined the importance of aligning national standards with international best practices, particularly ILO Convention No. 176 on Safety and Health in Mines, and called for immediate improvements in inspection regimes, emergency preparedness, and employer accountability. He further emphasised the need to empower workers through access to information and training on occupational rights and reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring social protection, medical care, and just compensation for affected families. The federal minister urged all provincial governments to develop an integrated and standardised Labour Management Information System, drawing upon shared experiences and best practices to promote harmonisation, transparency and improved coordination in labour governance across the country.

Earlier, Pakistan’s Inter-Ministerial and Inter-Provincial Steering Committee on Business and Human Rights reaffirmed its dedication to protecting human rights standards in the business sector.

The committees’ oversee enhancing cooperation among government agencies, businesses, and civil society to implement measurable actions that benefit workers and communities nationwide, as outlined in the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights.

They also endorsed the NAP-BHR Implementation Plan for 2025–26, with a focus on financial transparency and improved access to justice.

The Ministry of Human Rights shared progress on the development of a Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) Regulatory Framework with UNDP, and coordination with SECP to improve labour rights and female corporate representation. A HRDD Compliance Checklist was distributed to chambers of commerce for feedback, and a national training programme is being developed to raise NAP-BHR awareness.