Pakistan passes revised minority commission law
December 3, 2025
Christians take part in a peaceful Christmas demonstration ahead of the festival in Karachi on November 30. Pakistan’s parliament on December 2 approved a revised law establishing a National Commission for Minorities aimed at protecting the rights of religious minorities in the country. (Photo: Asif HASSAN/AFP)
Larger |
Pakistan’s parliament has approved a revised law establishing the National Commission for Minorities, six months after President Asif Ali Zardari restored an earlier version that would have given the body suo motu powers.
The new law, passed on December 2, establishes an 18-member commission mandated to protect the rights of religious minorities by investigating rights violations, monitoring policy implementation, advising government bodies, and promoting the welfare of minorities.
However, the revised law removes the commission’s authority to summon witnesses, inspect detention centers, or launch its own investigations – powers included in the previous May 12 bill.
The 18-member commission will consist of three Hindus – two from lower castes – three Christians, one Sikh, one Baha’i, one Parsi, and two Muslim human rights experts.
Each of the four provinces will nominate a representative from the human rights or minority departments, along with one minority member from Islamabad.
The appointment will be made by the Prime Minister for a term of three years.
Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar said the mandate excludes “criminals or those who do not consider themselves non-Muslims,” referring to the Ahmadiyya community, which Pakistan calls non-Muslim but identifies as Muslim.
This community has long faced persecution by radical groups. Ahmadiyya representatives condemned the exclusion and the tone of the parliamentary debate.
“The opposition and even the government council are targeting one community and making hate speech in the National Assembly. What rights will be protected in this way?” said the community’s spokesperson, Amir Mehmood, adding that the government did not consult with them and that they had been excluded from the committee.
Minority leaders and human rights groups have urged authorities to strengthen the law’s inclusiveness.
Hindu leader Jaipal Chhabria criticized the allocation of seats to lower-caste Hindus and the inclusion of Muslims in the body.
“They are just poor Hindus, not of a different religion. And why are Muslims on the commission for religious minorities? This is injustice,” he told UCA News on December 3, calling for merit-based selection.
The National Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) welcomed the law but stressed that the body must protect all religious minorities “equally, without exception or hierarchy.”
The commission’s mandate must be in line with constitutional guarantees of religious freedom and non-discrimination, the HRCP said in a statement.
Naeem Yousaf Gill, executive director of the National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP), offered cautious support, describing the move as an attempt by an “autocratic government” to run a “crippled democracy.”
He warned that irregular appointments and overlapping legal systems would continue to undermine access to justice.
The new law comes amid broader concerns about democratic backsliding.
Last month, Pakistan’s parliament passed the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which grants Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir new powers and lifetime immunity from arrest and prosecution, while also establishing a Federal Constitutional Court with powers similar to the Supreme Court.
Christians, Hindus and Sikhs constitute about 4 percent of Pakistan’s 241.5 million population.
Minority religious leaders say their communities suffer from entrenched discrimination, poverty, and limited access to education and employment, which makes them vulnerable to human rights abuses.
Source: Pakistan passes revised minorities commission law dropping vital po
Categories: Ahmadis And Pakistan, Asia, Minorities, Pakistan, Pakistan Inter-Faith