Lahore: Parliamentarians in Punjab, during the inaugural meeting of the Parliamentary Working Group on Minority Rights held in Lahore today, committed to addressing forced conversions, child marriages, discriminatory practices, and the broader challenges faced by religious minorities. The meeting, organized by the Parliamentarians Commission for Human Rights (PCHR) also brought together members of civil society to build consensus on urgent reforms.
PCHR Executive Director Mr. Shafique Chaudhary while welcoming the honorable members highlighted that despite some positive steps by the Punjab government including the establishment of a Minority Advisory Council, expansion of scholarships, job quotas, special welfare schemes for minority families, the Minority Outreach Program, and provision of skills training opportunities for minority students the ground realities remain alarming. He noted that minorities continue to face insecurity, discrimination, and faith-based violence.
On the occasion, CSJ Executive Director Mr. Peter Jacob drew attention to pressing concerns, including the growing problem of forced conversions, the long-pending Christian Marriage Act legislation in Punjab, discriminatory content in textbooks, denial of remission for non-Muslim prisoners under the 1976 Jail Manual, and policy gaps such as unequal access to various welfare schemes of the Government of Punjab. He further underlined that passing a law prohibiting marriage below 18 years of age would help curb forced conversions, since many such cases are linked to child marriages.
Parliamentarians present reaffirmed their resolve to prioritize legislation on forced conversions, child marriages, and misuse of blasphemy laws. Mr. Fabolus Christopher assured that he along with other Parliamentary working group members is ready to work with civil society on Bills against forced conversion, early age marriage and other discriminatory practices. He was optimistic that with joint efforts we will be able to bring desired changes in the laws and policy framework.
Ms. Ashifa Riaz Fatyana emphasized the importance of bipartisan cooperation in advancing minority rights, while Ms. Uzma Kardar highlighted the need for stronger policy implementation to match legislative progress. She emphasized that parliamentarians have a vital role to play in ensuring equal rights through unity and political will, stressing that this aligns with Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s vision in his August 11, 1947 address to the Constituent Assembly. The Secretary, Ministry of Human Rights, assured full support of the Ministry in addressing the concerns raised and in strengthening mechanisms for the protection of minority communities.
The meeting concluded on a positive note and members of the Working Group collectively pledged to follow up on these issues and ensure that the rights of religious minorities are protected through inclusive legislation and practical measures. Other parliamentarians who attended the meeting included Ms. Ambreen Islam, Ms. Shehr Bano, Ms. Afshan Hassan and Ms. Shakeela Javed, Ms. Rushda Lodhi, Mr. Emanuel Ather and Ms. Qudsia Batool.
