Tag: minorties

  • ‘First time in history’: PM Shehbaz approves task force for protection of minority rights

    ‘First time in history’: PM Shehbaz approves task force for protection of minority rights

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has approved the formation of a task force that will look after the implementation of minority rights in Pakistan.

    An official notification in this regard states, “In light of the resolution passed by the National Assembly on May 9, 2022, the prime minister has been pleased to approve the constitution of the task force on minorities to oversee the implementation of rights of minorities in light with the decision of the apex court.”

    The task force will be headed by Member of National Assembly (MNA) Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani. It comprises 23 parliamentarians, senators and ex-officio members.

    As chairman of the task force, Dr Vankwani tweeted that such a step had been taken “for the first time in the history of Pakistan”.

    In another tweet, he said, “Recommendations will be made for the solution of the problems faced by the minorities and we will take people from all the segments of the society along with us.”

    In 2014, the Supreme Court (SC) issued an order that there should be monitoring of the practical realisation of the rights and safeguards provided to the minorities under the Constitution and law.

    However, the governments over the years could not implement the SC orders.

    In 2020, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) expressed concern over the surge in blasphemy cases against religious minorities, and the potential for sectarian violence.

  • Forced conversion issue in only three districts of Sindh: Noor-ul-Haq Qadri

    Forced conversion issue in only three districts of Sindh: Noor-ul-Haq Qadri

    A parliamentary committee on Wednesday rejected the anti-forced conversion bill. The bill was opposed by the Ministry of Religious Affairs. The bill was aimed at protecting minorities from forced religious conversion.

    Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Noor-ul-Haq Qadri while speaking about the issue in Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’, said that the issue of forced conversion of religion was only in three districts of Sindh, whereas such cases in KP, Punjab, and Balochistan were rare. He said that the issue could be resolved through administrative discipline.

    However, journalist Benazir Shah while quoting a study has said in a tweet that, “Between 2013-2020, the highest incidence of alleged forced conversions was reported in Punjab, finds the Centre for Social Justice.”

    He continued by adding, “We opposed the forced conversion of religion because according to Islamic teachings, no one could be forced to change religion.”

    The minister also said that there should be no restrictions on anyone under the age of 18 changing their religion, as this would be considered interfering in someone’s personal life.

    The proposed bill which is rejected also included punishment between five to 10 years and a fine from Rs100,000 to Rs200,000 to any person who uses criminal force to convert a person to another religion.