The International Religious Freedom Roundtable Pakistan recently conducted a consultation focusing on issues such as religious discrimination, misuse of blasphemy laws, forced conversions, forced marriages, and the targeting of minority women and children. Participants at the event discussed the current status of religious minorities in Pakistan, emphasizing the need for stronger protections for Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, and other religious minority groups.
Kashif Mirza, a prominent human rights activist and Pakistan Director of the IRF Roundtable, highlighted the importance of eliminating discrimination based on religion. He stressed the need to safeguard the rights of children, women, and minority citizens without bias under the law. The consultation also addressed recent legislative developments, including bills aimed at protecting minority rights and communal properties in Punjab, as well as the passage of the National Commission for Minorities Rights Bill 2025 by Pakistan’s Parliament.
Anila Ali, co-chair of IRF Roundtable Pakistan and a women’s rights advocate, called for immediate action to combat forced conversions and marriages in the country. She emphasized the necessity of ensuring that any change in religion or belief is voluntary and that marriages are based on genuine consent. The participants echoed concerns raised by international experts regarding the alarming trends of kidnapping and forced religious conversions through marriage affecting women and girls from minority communities in Pakistan.
The IRF Roundtable Pakistan urged the government to address issues related to forced conversions and marriages, gender inequality, poverty, social exclusion, discrimination against religious minorities, religious intolerance, weak law enforcement, and the culture of impunity that perpetuates such abuses.
