KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly has passed a bill against forced conversion of religion in the province, becoming the first assembly in Pakistan to pass such a law.
The Sindh Criminal Law (Protection of Minorities) Bill, 2015, was moved by Pakistan Muslim League Functional PML-F lawmaker Nand Kumar a year ago.
The bill recommends a five year punishment for perpetrators, whereas facilitators of forceful religious conversions will be handed a three year sentence. Adults will be given 21 days to consider their decision to convert.
According to the bill tabled “Forced conversion is an abhorrent and violent offence; an issue that has become prevalent across Sindh which must be eliminated by recognizing the importance of tolerance, peace and respect for all religions and persons, irrespective of their religion”.
“No person shall be deemed to have changed their religion until they attain the age of maturity, which is 18 years. Similarly, the decision of a minor to convert to another religion will not be recognized until they reach the age of maturity”, described the bill.