same. The Commission after having achieved A status is further strengthened to undertake significant actions to protect human rights in the country. Recommendations The National Commission for Human Rights, through its various engagements with the Government has advised Ministries and provincial departments on ways to protect its citizens from ethnic, religious and sectarian violence as well as the prevalent hate speech in the country. To this end, NCHR submits the following recommendations for the State Party’s consideration: 1. Develop an all-party consensus government policy on addressing religious extremism: To date, the government does not have a concrete, unified policy on countering religious extremism. Political considerations, election and reelection strategies, and individual concerns impede the establishment of a unified strategy for combating religious extremism and hatred. It is unfortunate that the parliament itself could not unanimously condemn the burning alive of a tourist in Swat on alleged blasphemy charges. To address the growing radicalism and hatemongering, it is paramount that all political parties, religious groups, and stakeholders come together to develop a standalone and long-term strategy to prevent religious extremism, violence, and vigilante action in Pakistan. Such a uniform policy would also empower the bureaucracy and police, enabling them to take effective action against perpetrators without fear of reprisals. 2. Reexamine blasphemy cases; The government needs to revisit and reexamine blasphemy cases in various prisons across Pakistan. The exponential growth of such cases, the relatively young age of the accused, and the manner of arrest and investigation, especially by the FIA under PECA law require close scrutiny. With the increase in internet outreach, it is essential to ensure that youth are not entrapped in blasphemous material online. Close examination and strong action are needed to ensure justice and fairness is upheld at all costs. In the case of blasphemy accusations, all first responders should also receive training to recognize any signs of potential mental illness(es) in the accused. This is important to ensure the adequate inclusion of mental health considerations in legal processes. 16