ISLAMABAD: The Parliamentarians Commission for Human Rights (PCHR) has called for establishment and activation of the National Commission for Minority Rights for protection of religious minorities in Pakistan.
The demand was made at a seminar organised by PCHR at the National Press Club, Islamabad, in connection with National Minorities Day.
Speakers stressed that constitutional guarantees and legislation must translate into practical protection, equal citizenship and meaningful inclusion of minority communities.
Speaking on the occasion, MNA and PCHR Chairman Riaz Fatyana said the basic philosophy of the Pakistan Resolution was to protect minorities from the domination of the majority and ensure their legitimate rights.
He said denying minorities their rights would amount to negating the vision of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, who had envisioned a Pakistan where all citizens enjoyed equal rights. He urged the government to make the National Commission for Minority Rights functional at the earliest so minorities could approach it for protection of their rights.
Fatyana said Article 25 of the Constitution guaranteed equality before law. He said society had once witnessed greater participation of people from different communities in minority programmes, but intolerance and social divisions had gradually created bitterness.
MNA and former federal minister Kamran Michael said minorities were equal citizens of Pakistan and had participated in the struggle for independence. He said the sacrifices of people during the Pakistan Movement had contributed to the creation of Pakistan and all citizens should therefore enjoy equal rights.
He said minorities should not be required to repeatedly prove their patriotism, adding that Pakistan was their home too and everyone had a responsibility to contribute to its development and protect it.
PCHR Executive Director Shafique Chaudhry said enactment of the National Commission for Minority Rights Act was an important milestone, but its real success would depend on effective implementation and ensuring that legal protections reached minority communities at the grassroots level.
Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) President Afzal Butt said non-Muslim citizens were entitled to equal rights in an Islamic state and in Pakistan. He said Christmas celebrations at the National Press Club were organised in the same spirit as Eid celebrations, with minority families invited to participate. He called for spreading a message of love, tolerance and happiness across society.
Pandit Rakesh Chand said it was unfortunate that, 79 years after the creation of Pakistan, there was no temple in Rawalpindi or Islamabad where the Hindu community could freely perform religious rituals. He urged the government to facilitate the establishment of a temple in the twin cities.
HWP-L representative Waheed Javed said Quaid-i-Azam had assured minorities of equal rights and called for a collective commitment to building a society based on peace, brotherhood and tolerance.
Civil society representative William Pervez said non-Muslim residents of Islamabad’s informal settlements lived under constant fear of eviction and demolition. He urged the government to formulate a clear policy for these settlements and provide protection to their residents.
Equal rights for minorities stressed
Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that the contribution of minority communities to the construction, progress and development of Pakistan is indelible, adding that minorities are an integral part of the country’s social fabric and national identity.
He expressed these views while addressing a ceremony held at Parliament House to mark National Minorities Day on Monday.
The ceremony was attended by parliamentarians, members of the Parliamentarians Minorities Caucus, senators, members of the National Assembly and senior officials of the Senate Secretariat.
The Senate chairman recalled that in 2009, during his tenure as prime minister, his government declared August 11 as National Minorities Day. He said the initiative was aimed at recognising the equal status, rights and services of minority communities and reaffirming the national commitment to their inclusion and empowerment. He said during that period, several practical measures were taken, including the establishment of a federal ministry for minority affairs, allocation of a quota for minorities in federal government jobs, and steps to enhance minority representation in the Senate.
Mr Gilani said Pakistan’s history was enriched by the invaluable services and sacrifices of its minority communities. Paying tribute to the role of minority leaders in the Pakistan Movement, he said Quaid-i-Azam selected Jogendra Nath Mandal to preside over the first Constituent Assembly and appointed him as Pakistan’s first law minister. He said this was a clear reflection of the principles of equality, inclusion and national unity envisioned by the Quaid-i-Azam.
He highlighted the outstanding contributions of members of minority communities in various fields, including the judiciary, armed forces, education, healthcare, literature, science and sports. He specifically acknowledged the services of personalities, including Justice A.R. Cornelius, Justice Dorab Patel, Justice Rana Bhagwandas, Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry and Dr Ruth Pfau, among others.
Mr Gilani said the principles of minority rights, religious freedom and human dignity were deeply rooted in Islamic traditions.
Published in Dawn, August 11th, 2026
