Trends - MINORITY RIGHTS

Islamabad police forms ‘Minority Protection Unit’ to safeguard minority places of worship, communities

Unit comprises 70 policemen, formed on recommendation of National Minorities Commission.

Published 17 Aug, 2023 12:11pm

‘We cry out for justice’: Vandalism of churches in Faisalabad elicits condemnations, calls for action

After images of vandalised churches were shared on social media, initial shock and horror were followed by demands for justice.

Updated 17 Aug, 2023 10:31am

Activists call for greater political representation in Pakistan’s ‘first’ minority rights march

“We are all one people and I refuse to let us be divided," artist Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Jr, one of the participants and speakers, says.

Updated 12 Aug, 2023 01:13am

Civil society activists call for equal rights for minorities

Announce first "Minority Rights March" to be held on Aug 11.

Updated 10 Aug, 2023 10:57am

Ahmadi place of worship vandalised in Karachi’s Shah Faisal Colony

Community spokesperson says one dozen persons destroyed the place's minarets with hammers and wrote “hateful graffiti on the walls”.

Updated 26 Jul, 2023 10:16am

Dacoits attack place of worship belonging to members of Hindu community in Kashmore

SSP says the accused fled from the scene after the incident; no loss of life reported.

Updated 16 Jul, 2023 10:39pm

QAU quashes notices to students over Holi event

Notices withdrawn after university officials sought time to respond to Dawn's request for comment; NA speaker terms letter “illegal and unconstitutional”.

Updated 15 Jul, 2023 10:49am

PM Shehbaz approves constitution of task force to oversee implementation of minority rights

Taskforce's chairman Ramesh Kumar Vankwani calls development a first in Pakistan, promises new campaign for rights of minorities.

Published 19 Jun, 2022 02:59pm

Teenage Hindu girl shot dead in Sukkur, suspect arrested

Police say the suspect wanted to marry Pooja Kumari but she had refused.

Updated 22 Mar, 2022 10:57pm

Grim picture

There is much the govt can do to create an environment free of repression and coercion so that democracy is strengthened.

Updated 16 Jan, 2022 08:38am

Pakistan, Taliban violators of religious freedom: US

Pakistan redesignated as a country of particular concern; Taliban rebranded as an entity of particular concern.

Published 18 Nov, 2021 07:04am

Clerics express reservations over draft of anti-forced conversion bill

Clerics and religious scholars object to several clauses, including the minimum age of conversion.

Updated 25 Aug, 2021 08:44am

Minorities’ rights, places of worship to be protected: CJP

Says temples, gurdwaras, churches are as sacred to him as his own religious places.

Updated 12 Aug, 2021 08:48am

FO rubbishes India's 'unwarranted concerns' regarding minority rights in Pakistan

This is not the first time India has tried to feign concern while being the most persistent violator of minority rights, FO says.

Published 02 Jan, 2021 02:06pm

14 arrested for destroying Hindu shrine in KP's Karak

CJP takes notice of incident, directs commission on human rights, KP chief secretary and KP IGP to visit site and submit report.

Updated 31 Dec, 2020 10:14pm

Islamabad UCs to start registering religious minorities’ marriages, says PM’s aide

Says notification issued and process will start after 15 days.

Updated 19 Dec, 2020 10:21am

‘52pc of forced conversion cases reported in Punjab’

The highest number of such cases was reported in Bahawalpur.

Updated 29 Nov, 2020 10:49am

Lawmakers’ body discusses minorities’ rights bill, forced conversion

Bill will provide a platform to look into various grievances of minority communities.

Updated 09 Oct, 2020 10:16am

Minorities commission discusses problems faced by Muslims in India

Kewalani says followers of all religions are first and foremost Pakistanis.

Updated 15 May, 2020 08:47am

Govt notifies reconstituted commission for minorities

The commission will have six official and 12 non-official members including the chairman for a term of three years.

Updated 12 May, 2020 08:25am

Minorities body violation of SC verdict, says Rabbani

Says eight steps govt needed to take before formation of body neglected.

Updated 09 May, 2020 08:43am

Minorities rights body accuses ministry of non-cooperation

Supreme Court’s 2014 verdict required government to establish council for protecting minorities’ rights.

Updated 08 May, 2020 08:05am

Enact structural reform to establish National Commission on Minorities

The move, the party said, will later be "followed by provincial commissions/departments".

Updated 19 Apr, 2022 02:23pm