CERD/C/PAK/CO/20 page 3 concern that the laws of the State party are not applicable in these provinces to the same extent as in the other parts of the territory. The Committee urges the State party to ensure that its national laws, including in particular legislation relevant to the implementation of the Convention and other human rights instruments ratified by the State party, are applicable in its entire territory, including the FATA and NWFP. It also reiterates its request that the State party provide more specific information regarding the socio-economic situation in FATA and NWFP, as well as data on the ethnic and linguistic groups living therein. 10. While appreciating the State party’s laws for the protection of recognized religious minorities, the Committee reiterates its concern about the absence of similar protection for relevant ethnic or linguistic groups. It welcomes the delegation’s acknowledgment of the intersectionality, to a certain extent, of ethnicity and religion in the State party. (art. 1) The Committee reiterates its recommendation that the State party broaden its understanding and constitutional definition regarding minorities, so as to take into account all the grounds of discrimination included in article 1, paragraph 1 of the Convention. 11. Notwithstanding the existing legislation aimed at ensuring the principle of nondiscrimination in the State party, the Committee reiterates its concern that no comprehensive anti-discrimination law has been adopted. It also expresses concern about the lack of information on concrete measures taken to implement the existing antidiscrimination laws and special measures, in spite of reports of persisting de facto discrimination against members of certain minority groups. (art. 2) The Committee recommends that the State party adopt a comprehensive law on the elimination of discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin, taking into consideration all elements of the Convention. It also wishes to receive detailed information on the measures taken to implement anti-discrimination legislation with a view to eliminating de facto discrimination. 12. While the Committee welcomes the steps taken by the State party to address caste-based discrimination, such as a range of development schemes and the appointment of a member of a scheduled caste as advisor to the Sindh Province Senate, it is concerned that the State party has not yet adopted a law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of caste. It is further concerned about the lack of information in the State party’s report on concrete measures taken to combat caste-based discrimination. The Committee is also concerned about the persisting de facto segregation of and discrimination against Dalits regarding their enjoyment of all economic, civil, political, and social rights (arts. 2, 3 and 5). The Committee refers the State party to its general recommendation 29 (2002), on descent-based discrimination, and recommends that the State party adopt legislation aimed at the prohibition of caste-based discrimination and take effective and immediate measures to ensure its