Pakistan has ratified over 150 international treaties, including 38 ILO conventions, strengthening market access and protecting workers.

The Express Tribune reports that Pakistan has become a party to more than 150 major international treaties and conventions covering trade, labour, human rights, environmental protection and maritime affairs. Pakistan has ratified 38 International Labour Organization conventions and one protocol. Eight of the ten Fundamental Conventions—on the abolition of forced labour, minimum working age, freedom of association, collective bargaining, equal pay, non‑discrimination and the elimination of child labour—are fully incorporated. The two remaining Fundamental Conventions on occupational safety and the promotional framework for it are under active consideration. The country also ratified the 2014 Protocol on the Forced Labour Convention, setting a clear standard that imported goods produced with forced labour are prohibited. The Express Tribune notes that India and several other Asian apparel exporters have not yet adopted this protocol. Beyond labour, Pakistan is a party to 15 major Multilateral Environmental Agreements that address climate change, biodiversity, hazardous chemicals, and desertification. The 18th Constitutional Amendment devolved environmental and labour responsibilities to provincial governments, creating a layered compliance architecture. Although the state has made these commitments, implementation faces challenges. Limited resources, competing development priorities, and security concerns in the neighbourhood strain national and local institutions. Nevertheless, the Express Tribune highlights that Pakistan has amended its Import Policy Order to enforce the forced‑labour ban before India or Bangladesh did. Overall, the article portrays Pakistan’s engagement with international standards as an early and ongoing foundation for sustainable development and market access.