July 11, 2024
By Rana Malhi
ISLAMABAD
On Tuesday, July 9, four members of the National Assembly representing the minority communities presented a bill for the establishment of the National Commission for Minorities in Pakistan. However, the bill was rejected by civil society organisations, including Centre for Social Justice and Peoples’ Commission for Minorities Rights. They demanded the withdrawal of the bill.
During a press conference at the Islamabad Press Club on July 11, Peter Jacob, executive director of Centre for Social Justice, said that the bill is a copy of the 2022 bill, which has already been rejected. “We completely reject this bill.”
Dr. A.H. Nayyar, academic and member of the Peoples’ Commission for Minorities Rights, said: “We object to the inclusion of the heads of other religious institutions, the Council of Islamic Ideology, and the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Evacuee Trust Property Board in a bill meant for religious minorities. These individuals will bring their old ideas and create more problems.”
Shafique Chaudhry, human rights activist, said that all stakeholders were not involved in drafting the bill in the National Assembly. “There is a lack of inclusivity in this bill.”
Fatima Atif, human rights activist, asked if all minorities play an equal role in the development of Pakistan, then why were they not consulted on this bill?