23-05-2025
Pakistan passes landmark Minority Rights Law
Pakistan's parliament passed the National Commission for Minority Rights Bill 2025 on May 13, creating a long-awaited independent body to protect the rights of religious minorities. May 23, 2025
Activists hold placards as they march to mark National Minorities Day in Lahore, Pakistan, on Aug. 11, 2021. (Photo: AFP)
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's parliament passed the National Commission for Minority Rights Bill 2025 on May 13, creating a long-awaited independent body to protect the rights of religious minorities. The commission will have the authority to conduct inquiries, inspect detention facilities, summon witnesses, and issue binding recommendations. It will operate with its own budget and report directly to parliament, signalling a shift toward rights-based governance.
Christian leaders and rights activists, who campaigned for over a decade for such a body, welcomed the move as historic but cautioned against complacency. 'This is the beginning of a long journey toward justice and equality,' said Peter Jacob of the Centre for Social Justice. Concerns remain about the commission's ability to function independently and avoid political interference, a challenge that plagued earlier government-appointed minority panels. --
