INTRODUCTION BACKGROUND The National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) is a federal statutory body set up in 2015 as an independent NHRI developed under the Paris Principles. Its core functions include acting as adjudicator in individual complaints brought to it, and in taking suo motu notice of violations of human rights in Pakistan. It is also responsible for reviewing existing legislation, proposing amendments, and monitoring implementation. In 2021, a new Chairperson and Provincial members were appointed to the NCHR1 and since then the NCHR has been working tirelessly with renewed resolve. SCOPE OF THIS REPORT This Report is an independent assessment undertaken by NCHR on Pakistan’s progress in implementing the Recommendations it received within the third cycle of the UPR. A total of 289 recommendations were made to Pakistan by UN Member States out of which 168 were accepted, 121 were noted and 4 were rejected. Our evaluation is categorized into three thematic areas which are: access to justice, prisons, and torture. These thematic areas have been identified as the criminal justice system remains riddled with gaps which have a grave impact on the protection of human rights of Pakistani citizens. Since 2018 to 2022 we have received a total of 1305 cases of custodial torture and have taken suo motu actions in 31 cases. Moreover, our recent efforts in supporting complainants in the Usman Mirza case, and the Nazim Jokhio case have highlighted the need for reform of the criminal justice system (CJS). The assessment of the CJS considering previous recommendations is crucial to help Pakistan fulfill its international human rights obligations. METHODOLOGY To develop this Report, first-hand information has primarily been used in the form of quantitative and qualitative data collected through our federal and provincial offices. Our commissioners have conducted jail visits and collected quantitative data on the prison population, availability of medical equipment etc. which has been supplemented by interviews conducted with members of the staff as well. In addition to on-site visits, our team has also collected data with regards to the number of complaints received under thematic areas and has kept track of the progress in each of these complaints. This 'NCHR Holds First Board Meeting After Appointment of New Chairperson - Pakistan Observer' (Pakistan Observer, 2022) <https://pakobserver.net/nchr-holds-first-board-meeting-after-appointment-of-new-chairperson/> 1 1