UN Expert Highlights Challenges for Persons With Albinism in Pakistan

Miti-Drummond praised the Pakistan Albinism Society for its work in creating a strong community network despite limited resources.

The UN Independent Expert on the human rights of persons with albinism, Muluka-Anne Miti-Drummond, has raised concerns about the lack of attention given to persons with albinism in Pakistan's human rights and development programmes, despite their visibility in society. Her concerns come at the end of a visit to the country, where she assessed progress on rights, inclusion, and access to services.

Miti-Drummond said that while persons with albinism are physically visible, they are often invisible in policies, programmes, and data intended to ensure no one is left behind. She noted that without integration into federal and provincial legislation, persons with albinism continue to face challenges in education, health, and employment that remain unaddressed or inconsistently supported.

Gaps in Policy and Service Delivery

The expert highlighted that Pakistan has taken positive steps, including offering free education, health care, and subsidised travel for persons with albinism, but the lack of harmonisation between federal and provincial services has created gaps in provision. Many individuals are unaware of the policies that exist or how to access support, leading to sporadic and uneven service delivery. Miti-Drummond warned that misunderstandings about albinism often result in poor treatment, mischaracterisation, and ineffective responses to the specific needs of this community.

Data Invisibility and Climate Risks

The Independent Expert expressed concern about the absence of disaggregated data on albinism across sectors, which makes it difficult to understand the prevalence, geographic distribution, and daily challenges faced by persons with albinism. She also highlighted the severe impact of climate change, noting that rising temperatures in parts of Pakistan, reaching up to 55 degrees Celsius, pose particular risks for people with albinism due to their heightened sensitivity to UV radiation. Despite living in affected areas, persons with albinism remain largely excluded from climate adaptation and mitigation planning.

Call for Strengthened Support and Evidence-Based Policies

Miti-Drummond praised the Pakistan Albinism Society for its work in creating a strong community network despite limited resources. She urged the government and international partners to enhance data collection, improve service delivery, and design policies that respond to the specific needs and vulnerabilities of persons with albinism. Strengthening evidence-based approaches will also allow Pakistan to better monitor progress on human rights and Sustainable Development Goals.

The Independent Expert will present a detailed report on her findings to the Human Rights Council in March 2027, providing recommendations to ensure inclusion, protection, and visibility for persons with albinism across the country.

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