ISLAMABAD: The Minorities Alliance Pakistan (MAP) and representatives of various other minority rights organisations have called for inclusion of various provisions for the protection of religious minorities, women and minors in the next constitutional amendment bill.

Speaking at a news conference at National Press Club here on Thursday, MAP Chairman Akmal Bhatti said Pakistan could not claim to be a pluralistic democracy while its constitution retained provisions that bar non-Muslims from the highest offices on the basis of religion, allow party-list appointments to override voter choice, and fail to stop the forced conversion of children.

“The time for symbolic gestures is over. What is needed now is structural reforms that guarantee equality before the law and equal opportunity for all citizens,” he said.

On this occasion, the MAP representatives presented a number of demands and proposals, suggesting that these should be included in the much-talked about 28th constitutional amendment bill, which the government was reportedly plans to introduce in the parliament.

The MAP demands that the change of religion of any person under 18 years of age without free, informed consent recorded before a judicial magistrate should be prohibited.

It also calls for removal of religious qualifications for the offices of president and prime minister through amendments to Articles 41(2) and 91(3) of the Constitution.

It also demanded direct elections to the seats reserved for non-Muslims and women in the National Assembly and provincial assemblies by amending Articles 51 and 106. Besides this, the MAP also wants a constitutional guarantee of a minimum five per cent quota for religious minorities in the federal and provincial services and public educational institutions through an amendment to Article 27.

The MAP representatives were of the view that their proposals were in line with Articles 20, 25, 35, 36 and 37 of the Constitution and Pakistan’s obligations under various international conventions and declarations. Moreover, they said, these proposals imposed no new financial burden and could be implemented through existing institutions.

The MAP urged the parliamentary committee to hold public consultations with minority communities, legal experts and civil society before finalising the bill.

“Constitutional reform without the voices of those most affected will only deepen alienation,” said Mr Bhatti.

Others who spoke on the occasion included Rawadari Tehreek Chairman Samson Salamat, Pakistan Minorities Alliance Chairman and former Punjab MPA Tahir Naveed Chaudhry, Minorities Rights Movement President Robin Daniel.

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2026