As the founder of LEAD Ministries and an advocate for child rights, I feel compelled to raise urgent alarm about a disturbing global trend: the for
National Minorities Commission 2025 with an authoritative or advisory role. By Dr. Adil Ghauri
A few days ago, the Senate and the National Assembly, in their joint session, passed the National Minority Rights Commission Bill to protect the rights of minorities by a majority vote. The bill received 160 votes in favor and 79 votes against. May God grant that this bill, which was passed by a majority vote, will make it possible to protect the rights of minorities
The establishment of a National Commission for Minorities in Pakistan has been an issue for decades. Until 1992, various temporary or adhoc bodies protected the rights of minorities through the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
On 11.05.2020, the National Minorities Commission was formally constituted for a period of three years, which completed its term on 10.05.2023. During this period, 18 meetings of this commission were held in which discussions were held regarding the rights of minorities. However, during this three-year period, this commission did not do any notable work that can be made part of the record. Speaking about the establishment of the current Minority Commission, the Law Minister said that this commission was formed in light of the 2013 decision of former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jilani. The comprehensive judgment issued by Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jilani was aimed at protecting and promoting the rights of religious minorities in Pakistan. According to him, the establishment of an effective, independent, legal national commission for minorities is necessary, as earlier government commissions have faced criticism for their lack of authority and poor performance. If we carefully examine the powers of the current commission, then this commission is also not empowered, but like the previous commissioners, it only has an advisory role and is deprived of the power to implement itself. See the details of the powers assigned to this commission.
1- This commission will be authorized to monitor constitutional safeguards related to the promotion and protection of minority rights
2- It will be able to send its recommendations to the government for the effective implementation of constitutional rights. The Commission will also have the power to become a party in court proceedings. The Commission or its authorized representative will be able to visit police stations, jails or any government detention place.
3- Will be able to review the legality of the detention of minority prisoners, suspects under trial or persons in custody, while recommending legal action to the relevant institutions in case of illegal detention.
4- Will be able to obtain information, data and records related to minorities from relevant departments.
5-Will provide recommendations to the government for the development, empowerment and resolution of problems of minorities
6- As per the law, the commission will identify and recommend action against incitement, hate speech or discriminatory social media content. It will recommend legal action against the publishers of hate speech against minorities.
7- The commission will submit special reports on minority issues to Parliament through the government.
8- The commission will monitor the implementation of court decisions related to the rights of minorities, while guidance and support from the higher judiciary will also be sought to remove obstacles.
9- Participation in international forums and contact with international human rights experts will be among the powers of the commission.
10-The Commission will investigate and inquire into any incident related to the violation of the rights of minorities, and the Commission will prepare independent fact-finding reports on human rights issues. The reports of the Commission will be sent to the government for action.The Commission will also be able to exercise additional powers and perform related functions necessary for the promotion and protection of the rights of minorities.
11- Federal and provincial governments will be able to seek the opinion of the commission on matters related to minorities.
12- The Commission shall be authorized to initiate an inquiry even without seeking information, considering the nature of the complaint relating to rights.The Commission will have the powers of a civil court during the inquiry. The Commission can summon witnesses and ensure their attendance. The Commission will also have the power to take statements on oath from witnesses.
13- The federal government will be prohibited from allocating special funds for the rehabilitation of minorities. The commission will provide financial and legal assistance to the affected minority individuals, and the commission will have complete administrative and financial autonomy.
14-The Commission will have the power to inquire into complaints regarding violation of minority rights. The Commission may seek information or reports from the government or its subordinate institutions. If the report is not received within the stipulated time, the Commission may proceed with the inquiry on its own.
Critics are asking Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar why the idea of forming a commission based on Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jilani's decision came up after 10 years or is it just being justified? What additional rights do minorities have that need protection? More important than establishing a commission is amending Article 41 of the Constitution to give them equal rights.They should be given the right to elect their representatives through a constitutional amendment, protected from the misuse of blasphemy laws, and legislation should be enacted to prevent forced marriage and religious conversion.
Critics believe that the commission was created not to protect the rights of minorities but to reduce international pressure, as international backlash regarding minority rights has been intense this year..
The UK's All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) and APPG for International Freedom of Religion (FORB) are consistently critical of Pakistani minorities.
It states that the situation of religious minorities in Pakistan is "grave", "delicate" and at "crisis point". It believes that minorities face systematic discrimination, persecution and violence, which are often exacerbated by specific laws.
Similarly, in 2025, UN experts have raised significant concerns about minority rights in Pakistan, particularly widespread concern over violence, discrimination and extrajudicial killings against religious minorities.
According to the latest reports, the European Union Monitoring Commission has been in Pakistan since November 28, 2025, to review the rights of minorities, women and children in Pakistan. Its confidential findings will form the basis of the 2026 GSP+ report, which will decide whether Pakistan is eligible to receive this important trade facility by 2027.Over the years, Pakistan has benefited billions of dollars from this facility. In 2022, Pakistan was removed from the grey list on the condition of improving the rights of minorities, women and children. The European Union is completely dissatisfied with the rights of minorities in Pakistan, so it has been decided to re-evaluate the situation to grant GSP status to Pakistan again.The government of Pakistan should enact legislation for Pakistani minorities according to their needs, not international pressure.
The establishment of a National Commission for Minorities in Pakistan has been an issue for decades. Until 1992, various temporary or adhoc bodies protected the rights of minorities through the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
On 11.05.2020, the National Minorities Commission was formally constituted for a period of three years, which completed its term on 10.05.2023. During this period, 18 meetings of this commission were held in which discussions were held regarding the rights of minorities. However, during this three-year period, this commission did not do any notable work that can be made part of the record. Speaking about the establishment of the current Minority Commission, the Law Minister said that this commission was formed in light of the 2013 decision of former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jilani. The comprehensive judgment issued by Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jilani was aimed at protecting and promoting the rights of religious minorities in Pakistan. According to him, the establishment of an effective, independent, legal national commission for minorities is necessary, as earlier government commissions have faced criticism for their lack of authority and poor performance. If we carefully examine the powers of the current commission, then this commission is also not empowered, but like the previous commissioners, it only has an advisory role and is deprived of the power to implement itself. See the details of the powers assigned to this commission.
1- This commission will be authorized to monitor constitutional safeguards related to the promotion and protection of minority rights
2- It will be able to send its recommendations to the government for the effective implementation of constitutional rights. The Commission will also have the power to become a party in court proceedings. The Commission or its authorized representative will be able to visit police stations, jails or any government detention place.
3- Will be able to review the legality of the detention of minority prisoners, suspects under trial or persons in custody, while recommending legal action to the relevant institutions in case of illegal detention.
4- Will be able to obtain information, data and records related to minorities from relevant departments.
5-Will provide recommendations to the government for the development, empowerment and resolution of problems of minorities
6- As per the law, the commission will identify and recommend action against incitement, hate speech or discriminatory social media content. It will recommend legal action against the publishers of hate speech against minorities.
7- The commission will submit special reports on minority issues to Parliament through the government.
8- The commission will monitor the implementation of court decisions related to the rights of minorities, while guidance and support from the higher judiciary will also be sought to remove obstacles.
9- Participation in international forums and contact with international human rights experts will be among the powers of the commission.
10-The Commission will investigate and inquire into any incident related to the violation of the rights of minorities, and the Commission will prepare independent fact-finding reports on human rights issues. The reports of the Commission will be sent to the government for action.The Commission will also be able to exercise additional powers and perform related functions necessary for the promotion and protection of the rights of minorities.
11- Federal and provincial governments will be able to seek the opinion of the commission on matters related to minorities.
12- The Commission shall be authorized to initiate an inquiry even without seeking information, considering the nature of the complaint relating to rights.The Commission will have the powers of a civil court during the inquiry. The Commission can summon witnesses and ensure their attendance. The Commission will also have the power to take statements on oath from witnesses.
13- The federal government will be prohibited from allocating special funds for the rehabilitation of minorities. The commission will provide financial and legal assistance to the affected minority individuals, and the commission will have complete administrative and financial autonomy.
14-The Commission will have the power to inquire into complaints regarding violation of minority rights. The Commission may seek information or reports from the government or its subordinate institutions. If the report is not received within the stipulated time, the Commission may proceed with the inquiry on its own.
Critics are asking Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar why the idea of forming a commission based on Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jilani's decision came up after 10 years or is it just being justified? What additional rights do minorities have that need protection? More important than establishing a commission is amending Article 41 of the Constitution to give them equal rights.They should be given the right to elect their representatives through a constitutional amendment, protected from the misuse of blasphemy laws, and legislation should be enacted to prevent forced marriage and religious conversion.
Critics believe that the commission was created not to protect the rights of minorities but to reduce international pressure, as international backlash regarding minority rights has been intense this year..
The UK's All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) and APPG for International Freedom of Religion (FORB) are consistently critical of Pakistani minorities.
It states that the situation of religious minorities in Pakistan is "grave", "delicate" and at "crisis point". It believes that minorities face systematic discrimination, persecution and violence, which are often exacerbated by specific laws.
Similarly, in 2025, UN experts have raised significant concerns about minority rights in Pakistan, particularly widespread concern over violence, discrimination and extrajudicial killings against religious minorities.
According to the latest reports, the European Union Monitoring Commission has been in Pakistan since November 28, 2025, to review the rights of minorities, women and children in Pakistan. Its confidential findings will form the basis of the 2026 GSP+ report, which will decide whether Pakistan is eligible to receive this important trade facility by 2027.Over the years, Pakistan has benefited billions of dollars from this facility. In 2022, Pakistan was removed from the grey list on the condition of improving the rights of minorities, women and children. The European Union is completely dissatisfied with the rights of minorities in Pakistan, so it has been decided to re-evaluate the situation to grant GSP status to Pakistan again.The government of Pakistan should enact legislation for Pakistani minorities according to their needs, not international pressure.
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"Trial of Pakistani Christian Nation" By Nazir S Bhatti
On demand of our readers, I have decided to release E-Book version of "Trial of Pakistani Christian Nation" on website of PCP which can also be viewed on website of Pakistan Christian Congress www.pakistanchristiancongress.org . You can read chapter wise by clicking tab on left handside of PDF format of E-Book.