The battle between the government and the religious groups has upset the proponents of religious freedom and minority rights. The minorities are disheartened as the construction of the first Hindu Temple in Islamabad has been halted after it sparked controversy. Islamabad High Court disposed of all the petitions, and the matter was referred to the […]
The challenge of forming a minority rights commission in Pakistan
The matter of the establishment of The National Commission for Minority Rights in Pakistan is once again in the news. The commission was formed on May 5, 2020, but has faced a lot of opposition since then. At first, it was opposed in the cabinet committee for the inclusion of members from the Ahmadiyya community. […]
The frightening truth of religious intolerance against minorities
Religious intolerance and hatred against religious minorities in Pakistan have been rife for several decades, and yet, it is hardly ever recognised and addressed by the government. This obliviousness and negligent lack of action has caused severe damage to the fabric of Pakistani society and threatens to continue if it is not challenged. Though discrimination […]
Timely justice
As the saying goes, justice delayed is justice denied, and this is an issue that can be plainly seen in its worst manifestation in Pakistan, every single day. In Pakistan people have to wait years and years in order to have their cases heard. In most blasphemy cases the accused wait for 5-10 years, and […]
Blasphemy laws need reforming not toughening
While observers from around the world are horrified to see how lives like that of Asia Bibi’s can be torn apart by our current blasphemy laws, many inside the country see things rather differently. They consider the already stringent laws too lenient. Recently the Punjab Assembly unanimously passed a resolution asking the government to improve […]
Future of minorities in Indo-Pak
Protests against the amended Citizenship Act introduced by Narendra Modi’s government continue to grow and intensify in India. Although this bill is against Muslims, there is hope as Muslims are not alone. People from all faiths, even Hindus, and all factions of society, including media, academics and politicians, have joined the voices against this discriminatory […]
Forced conversion of minority girls, a tragic reality
Last weekend more than a dozen NGOs protested in front of Pakistan’s Punjab assembly against the ongoing forced conversion of minorities’ girls. They demanded the government pass a law to stop the forced conversion of minorities’ girls to Islam. On March 29th Tahira Habib from the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Joseph Francis from Centre […]
Will Asia Bibi have her Christmas cake this year?
Christmas is only a few days away, and Christians throughout the world are busy with preparations, tall buildings are decorated with colourful lights, and Christmas songs are being played in the shopping malls, offices and shops. Churches are busy organising Christmas programmes like carol services and nativity plays, and people are busy shopping for presents […]
Pakistan’s minorities and Kartarpur corridor
When Prime Minister Imran Khan laid the foundation stone for the Kartarpur Corridor recently, it was lauded as a bold move by Sikhs across the world, and many others besides. The corridor will ultimately connect the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in the Narowal district — the final resting place of Guru Nanak — with Dera Baba […]
Why the Atif Mian controversy is bad news for Pakistan’s minorities
The departure of Atif Mian from Imran Khan’s Economic Advisory Council (EAC), allegedly because of his religion, has deepened the fear among Pakistan’s religious minorities that not all change is going to be for the better under the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government. Mian is a distinguished economist and professor but he is also a member […]