Islamabad: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has raised serious concerns over the significant delay in the enactment of the National Commission for Minorities’ Rights Bill. Although Parliament approved the bill on 12 May 2025 and forwarded it for presidential assent, nearly five months have passed without any explanation for the holdup.
For years, Pakistan has committed to safeguarding the rights of religious minorities as enshrined in its Constitution and through various international human rights accords, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The lack of a statutory, independent, and inclusive commission leaves minority communities susceptible to discrimination and exclusion.
The proposed legislation represents a broad consensus among civil society groups. It advocates for a commission that is non-religiously specific and aims to protect the rights of all minorities. The intended membership includes representatives from minority communities, national human rights bodies, and human rights specialists, ensuring a comprehensive representation. HRCP emphasizes the necessity for the government to ensure genuine inclusion of all religious minorities and sects, especially those who are often marginalized and exposed to extremist violence.
The commission urges the authorities to act with transparency by revealing any presidential feedback and to maintain the provisions that have already garnered widespread agreement. The prompt enactment and operationalization of this commission are vital to uphold Pakistan’s constitutional promises, restore trust between citizens and the government, and meet international human rights obligations. Additional delays could exacerbate the environment of exclusion and fear encountered by religious minorities.