People can't be forced to convert, says Religious Affairs Minister

E-Paper | July 06, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Mohammad Yousuf said Thursday that no one could be forced to convert their religion, DawnNews reported.

Addressing a conference on interfaith harmony in the federal capital, the minister said the Constitution protected the rights of minorities and that in Islam a woman’s agreement for marriage was necessary.

Yousuf said talks had been resumed with outlawed organisation Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to ensure peace in the country.

Separately, he said Pakistan looked forward to a cooperative relationship with other countries.

Chairman of the Pakistan Hindu Council Ramesh Kumar underscored that the rise in kidnappings of Hindu girls from Sindh and Balochistan was worrisome for the Hindu community living in Pakistan.

Kumar added that the abducted girls were being forced to convert to Islam.

He called upon Muslim scholars to raise their voice against the abduction of Hindu girls and said girls below 18 years of age were not allowed to change their religion.

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

Pakistan

PM, president pay tribute to PAF officer who sacrificed his life to save woman from alleged abduction

GB Election Commission orders re-polling in 2 Diamer constituencies

President Zardari to depart on 4-day official visit to Kyrgyzstan today: FO

khanm

Jun 05, 2014 04:42pm

Let there be no compulsion in religion... but sir give me five minutes with a person's checkbook, and I will tell you where their heart is.

Recommend 0

Bilawal

Jun 05, 2014 06:41pm

All this is theory. Practice is totally the opposite. When will we Muslims begin to recognize and grant the rights to minorities. When we live in a country where we are not in the majority, we demand equality. When we are in majority we ignore the rights and the plights of minorities. We are the biggest hypocrites in the world.

Recommend 0

daniel shiger

Jun 05, 2014 07:05pm

What do you mean by minorities? Do you have any sympathy for Ahmadies? Or they are sub human species?

Recommend 0

Mohammad Akhtar

Jun 05, 2014 07:30pm

Sardar Sahib, just the talk is not enough, you need to take the actions against those who participate in force conversion. It is sin, it is crime, it is shame to force some one to convert. If you want to convert one one to your religion than you have to be an example of outstanding character that other should be impressed to accept your religion. Terror and extremism does not work in conversion.

Recommend 0

Jamal

Jun 05, 2014 08:02pm

@Mohammad Akhtar you are right. In Jinnah's Pakistan there would not have been any difference between the majority and the minorities. We can only pray that Pakistan can reach that level of human development. Not likely since budget for education has again been sliced!

Recommend 0

Rev. Eldrick Lal

Jun 05, 2014 11:59pm

Sardar Yousaf! You have a knack for saying the right thing but what about the ordinary people on the ground level. They always concoct an excuse to cover up their stories of forcing people to embrace other religion.

Recommend 0

Branded Content

K&N's SmartCooking Recipes: Bologna Slices Sandwich

A hearty bologna sandwich with cheddar, a fluffy vegetable omelette, crisp salad and a creamy sweet chilli mustard sauce, folded and toasted until golden.