On the eve of Pakistan’s annual minority day on Sunday (August 10) human rights defenders called on Parliament to address the surprising rise in false blasphemous Asp allegations.
At most rallies and seminars on August 11th, held on Sunday (August 10) for the yearly Minority Day, Samson Salamat, chairman of rights group Rwadari Tehreek (Equality Movement), spoke to a forum at the Lahore Press Club, saying that Congress should have a “large-scale dialogue.”
“The government requires that in the event of blasphemy, it constitute a judicial inquiry committee to investigate similar gangs that lock in ‘blasphemous business groups’ and innocent people,” Saramato said.
Participants requested that the government ensure the protection of religious minorities. Take punitive action against extremist Muslim groups involved in overseeing hatred and inciting violence against vulnerable religious communities. And take practical steps to eradicate bias in your school curriculum and hate material. Rwadari Tehreek organized a forum to express solidarity with victims and survivors of religious discrimination and persecution, and to draw government attention to the issues facing minority communities.
In the Nankoh of Karachi, Christian rights advocate Luke Victor said Pakistan has officially observed August 11 as National Day since 2009, but that minority communities still face discrimination, denial of basic facilities and forced religious conversion.
“Even after 78 years of independence, we don’t care freely because our young girls are forced to be converted and married, because our children don’t have an equal opportunity and we look down,” Victor said. “We want freedom from discrimination and freedom from being called “chura” or “bangi” (a light jor term used by Christians). We are all equal citizens of this country. ”
National Minority Day will be observed on August 11th to honor Pakistan’s religious minorities who contributed to Pakistan’s creation and state building. On August 11, 1947, a few days before Pakistan’s separation from India, we commemorate the Pakistani Funeral Muhammad Alijinna speech to Congress. The government has declared August 11th as 2009 National Minority Day.
In Karachi, a large number of people from various minority groups participated in the Minority Rights March on Sunday. They requested a minimum 10% quota for minority students at all educational institutions, removing discriminatory content from textbooks, constitutional recognition of clear minority identity, protecting places of worship and property, criminalising forced conversion, amendments to Articles 41 and 91 of the Constitution, and running for minority presidents and pastors.
They also sought greater political representation at federal, local and district levels, at the measures of economic empowerment, protection against misuse of religious law, and inclusion of minorities in policy decisions.
Safina Gill spoke about job discrimination and the quota system. She said masculine jobs like sanitation workers are reserved for non-Muslims.
“Even educated non-Muslims are offered jobs as hygiene workers through newspaper ads,” she said.
In 2009, the late Federal Minister Shahbaz Bhatti, introduced a 5% duty quota for the minority, gradually dropped it, Gill said.
“The requirements for meeting job standards have become very strict for non-Muslims, even if they are eligible,” she said. “We need a new policy to address these issues.”
At the Lahore Press Club Forum, the legal organization Christian true spirit Katherine Sapna called for comprehensive and effective laws to criminalize forced faith conversions of girls and boys belonging to the Christian and Hindu community.
Christian sociopolitical activist Rafakat Sahotra called for reforms to fill parliamentary minority seats.
“The government, political parties and other stakeholders should work on a scheme for a small number of voters to select representatives at national and state meetings,” Sahotra said at the Lahore Forum. “The current system of proportional representation effectively strips voters of democratic authority and rights to elect minority lawmakers, and instead empowers political parties and political elites without following fair processes, procedures or merits.”
The Minority Alliance Sparkistan (MAP) seminar held in the federal capital of Islamabad on Monday, August 11th also focused on the need to effectively represent minorities in state and national legislative conferences.
“Requiring amendments to Articles 36, 40, 51, 91, 106 and 203 of the Constitution, Pakistan’s minority population will be freed from constitutional discrimination, freed from restrictions to maintain constitutional offices, and allowed to live as equal and equal citizens within the country.
Batty said he regretted that major political parties and their leaders had not fulfilled the trust placed on them by voters, and that he had actually done nothing to grant the minority equal constitutional status.
Requiring an increase in the number of seats in national and local assembly minorities, MAP Chairman said that the proportional representation of non-Muslims in reserved seats should also be changed to strengthen the democratic system, according to the latest census.
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif reaffirmed their commitment to protecting minority rights and recognized their contribution to the country.
“The day reflects the vision of Quaid-I-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah of Pakistan, where all citizens live in equality, harmony and mutual respect,” Zardari said.
He said Pakistan stands firmly against all forms of discrimination, extremism and religious intolerance.
“We continue to be determined to build a society that is free from bias, and it is fixed in embracing diversity as strength, sharing mutual respect, harmony among the pagans and progress,” Zardari added.
Prime Minister Sharif also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fully include minorities in government agencies, parliament and national mainstream.
“The welfare and happiness of all minorities in Pakistan is one of the priority duties of the Pakistan government, even if they are Sikhs, Christians, Hindus (or) Palsis,” he said.
He highlighted the services offered by minorities “in every course of life” including those who sacrificed lives that protect Pakistan.
“We pay our heartfelt tribute to them,” he said. “Pakistan is proud of its minority patriotism, professional hard work and attachment to national heritage and culture.”
The Prime Minister also emphasized that it is also a religious obligation to protect minority rights apart from constitutional obligations, saying, “Islam specifically advocates for the protection of civil, religious and social rights of minorities. Scholars and religious leaders play an important role in protecting religious freedom.”
He called on all Pakistanis to practice unity, solidarity, mutual respect and tolerance.
Pakistan ranked 8th on the 2025 World Watchlist, where it’s the hardest place to become a Christian.
