ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs on Tuesday declared the conversion of Hindu girls to Islam as un-Islamic and also expressed concern over the practice.

“Forced conversion of girls to Islam is against the teachings of Islam and also a violation of law in the country,” stated Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs’ Hafiz Hamdullah.

“The girls are being across the country on a daily basis which is a dilemma of the society.”

The chairman of the committee added religion is a personal matter of every individual, and said an individual can not be converted by force.

Leader of House in the Senate Raja Zafarul Haq also stated that compelling anyone to convert is against the teachings of Islam.

“We are already under observation from human rights organisations due to growing incidents of force conversions,” Haq added.

Senator Gian Chand informed the committee that Hindu girls in Sindh are the victims of force conversions and incidents of force conversions in Sindh are alarming.

Chand was of the opinion that police and local administration do not help the victims or their families in cases of forced conversions.

“Police does not take action fearing the reaction of the Muslim community,” added Chand.

The standing committee urged the government to adopt a comprehensive mechanism for the protection of women belonging to minority communities. The committee also directed the federal and provincial governments to draft legislation which would curb the practice.

Last year, a move to criminalise forced religious conversions and to prevent misuse of the blasphemy law was endorsed by the members of the Senate’s Functional Committee on Human Rights.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.