Islamabad, October 7, 2025(Kamran Raja): The Parliamentarians Commission for Human Rights (PCHR), under its European Union-funded initiative “Together for Tolerance: Strengthening Minority Rights & Inclusion,” has officially launched the Federal Parliamentary Working Group on Minority Rights during an inaugural meeting held at the Marriott Hotel, Islamabad.
The newly formed Working Group will serve as a collaborative platform for Members of Parliament to address challenges faced by religious minorities and to advance inclusive legislative and policy reforms that uphold equality, tolerance, and social cohesion.
The event was attended by Members of the National Assembly and Senate, senior journalists, civil society representatives, and human rights advocates. Together, they initiated a coordinated federal agenda to safeguard and promote minority rights in Pakistan.
Mr. Shafique Chaudhry, Executive Director of PCHR, highlighted that despite constitutional guarantees of religious freedom and equality, Pakistan’s 3.6% religious minority population (Census 2023) continues to face discrimination in education, employment, property rights, governance, and access to social protection. He emphasized the urgent need for dedicated legislation to reinforce the constitutional principles and protect minority rights. “Human rights are the building blocks of every democracy. We need a specific law backed by institutional mechanisms to provide legal cover and protection,” he stated.
Senator Danesh Kumar reiterated that Pakistan’s foundation for minority rights lies in the historic August 11 speech of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He emphasized that constitutional articles such as 20, 22, 24, 25, 27, 33, 36, 37, 38, 51, 59, and 227 guarantee equal rights to all citizens. Despite these provisions, minorities often face exclusion from development initiatives and policymaking. He stressed the importance of reviving Pakistan’s rich Sufi traditions to promote interfaith harmony and national unity.
Members of the Working Group observed that although every political party has a minority wing, more engagement is required to sensitize party leadership and address misconceptions. They expressed concern over the growing intolerance in society and called for urgent civic education and curriculum reforms to counter narratives of hate and division.
Mr. Riaz Fatyana, a prominent parliamentarian, underscored that Islam’s teachings promote equality and compassion, as reflected in the Last Sermon of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). He cited notable contributions by minority members such as Justice Cornelius and Justice Bhagwan Das, asserting that parliamentarians have a constitutional and moral responsibility to uphold the rights of all citizens, regardless of their faith.
A key discussion point was the National Commission for Minorities Rights (NCMR) Bill, recently passed by Parliament and currently under review. Participants called for a unified political effort to pass the Bill in a joint session at the earliest, noting that the NCMR would be instrumental in institutionalizing minority rights, monitoring violations, and ensuring accountability.
Ms. Saba Sadiq, Parliamentary Secretary for Human Rights, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to equality and justice for all, in line with Quaid-e-Azam’s vision of an inclusive Pakistan. “Our founding vision provides a timeless framework for interfaith harmony and equal citizenship,” she said. The formation of the Federal Working Group marks a significant step forward in building a more inclusive, tolerant, and rights-based society in Pakistan.