Sanctuary Denied: Minorities in Pakistan Face Gruesome Rights Abuses
A new HRCP report reveals a widening gap between Pakistan's laws and the reality of religious persecution and forced marriages for minorities.
Despite the introduction of new laws intended to safeguard marginalized groups, minorities in Pakistan continue to endure systemic persecution, violence, and severe rights violations. A damning new report by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), titled Sanctuary Denied: Freedom of Religion or Belief in 2025/26, reveals a disturbing disconnect between the government's legislative promises and the grim reality on the ground.
Legislative Wins vs. Ground Reality
The HRCP report acknowledges some positive steps, such as the passage of the National Commission for Minorities Act 2025 and new laws in Balochistan and Punjab that have raised the minimum marriageable age to 18. However, these legal milestones appear to be mere formalities. The commission intended to protect minority rights remains unconstituted months after the law was passed, leaving a critical vacuum in institutional protection.
The Weaponization of Blasphemy Laws
One of the most pressing concerns highlighted in the report is the misuse of blasphemy laws. Hundreds of individuals remain trapped in a state of legal limbo, facing uncertainty and fear. The HRCP points out a sinister trend: the existence of organized networks that allegedly entrap innocent individuals in blasphemy cases. Despite these warnings, the state has yet to investigate these predatory networks.
The dangers of these accusations were recently highlighted by minority rights defender Nabila Bhatti, who cited the case of Kamran Gill. A Christian medical practitioner, Gill saw his dispensary in Sheikhupura set ablaze by a mob on October 9, following allegations that he had shared blasphemous content on social media.
Targeted Persecution and Forced Marriages
The report documents a harrowing pattern of abuse targeting specific religious communities:
- Ahmadiyya Community: The report notes a concerted effort to push Ahmadis out of public and commercial life, citing two specific extremist incidents in Chenab Nagar.
- Christian and Hindu Communities: Girls from these communities remain particularly vulnerable to abductions and forced marriages. The HRCP notes that extreme poverty and a lack of adequate police response further exacerbate these risks.
Structural Discrimination and Exclusion
Beyond physical violence, the report outlines a broader system of institutional discrimination that prevents minorities from achieving equal citizenship. This includes:
- Employment: Discriminatory practices that hinder minority professionals.
- Education: The continued "Islamisation" of school curricula.
- Media: The systemic marginalization of minority issues in mainstream news outlets.
Urgent Calls for Action
Farah Zia, the director of the HRCP, warned that the state's approach toward religious minorities is becoming "increasingly exclusionary." Raja Ashraf, the HRCP Punjab vice-chair, emphasized that blasphemy accusations are being used as tools to exploit the most vulnerable members of society.
The HRCP has urged the federal government to take immediate action by:
- Fully implementing the National Commission for Minorities law.
- Launching investigations into the networks responsible for blasphemy entrapment.
- Prosecuting those who incite violence against minority communities.