Parliament to Reconsider Amended National Commission for Minorities Rights Bill

Islamabad, Ali Imran Chattha 

A broad consensus has been reached on amendments to the National Commission for Minorities Rights Bill, 2025, during a high-level meeting at Aiwan-e-Sadr. The revised draft has now been forwarded to the Parliament for reconsideration in its upcoming Joint Session.

The amendments were prepared in response to the President’s earlier message to Parliament under Article 75(1) of the Constitution, calling for stronger safeguards for religious minorities.

The Bill aims to establish a statutory commission dedicated to protecting minority rights, ensuring their representation, and shielding communities from discrimination. The commission will be empowered to monitor policy implementation, review laws, and independently investigate violations of minority rights.

Officials stated that the proposed commission will include representatives from all provinces and minority faiths, ensuring inclusivity and effective oversight.

Rights advocates have welcomed the move, describing it as a major step toward fulfilling Pakistan’s constitutional guarantees and international obligations on minority protections.

The Bill will now advance through the constitutional process for detailed consideration in Parliament’s joint sitting.