Parliamentarians Commission for Human Rights (PCHR) has called for renewed national efforts to build an inclusive Pakistan where citizens of all faiths and backgrounds can participate equally in society.
Reaffirming its commitment to tolerance and respect, PCHR emphasised that social cohesion and national progress are only possible when no one is left behind.
The media briefing was addressed by Mr Shafique Chaudhry, Executive Director, PCHR Mr. Naeem Yousaf Gill, Director, National Commission for Justice and Peace and renowned human rights defender, Ms. Tanveer Jahan, who collectively urged policymakers, parliamentarians, and civil society to reclaim the founding vision of Pakistan as articulated by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in his historic August 11, 1947 address a country where religion would remain a personal matter and every citizen would enjoy equal rights.
Mr Shafique Chaudhry highlighted that Pakistan’s Constitution provides a strong foundation for safeguarding equality and inclusion. Article 25 guarantees that “all citizens are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection of law,” while also prohibiting discrimination on the basis of religion, caste, sex, residence, or place of birth.
Article 27 ensures that all citizens have equal access to public offices and the civil service, regardless of their religion. Article 36 further ensures that the state shall provide special safeguards to minorities and take measures to protect their legitimate interests.
Yet, despite these constitutional guarantees, systemic barriers continue to undermine equal participation. There is an urgent need to ensure full compliance with the Supreme Court (S.M.C. No. 1 of 2014) landmark judgment, which provides clear directions and guidelines for safeguarding the rights of religious minorities in Pakistan.
If these directions had been implemented in true letter and spirit, the situation of minorities in the country would have been significantly improved, ensuring their protection, dignity, and equal participation in society.
Speaking at the briefing, Ms. Tanveer Jahan drew attention to the persistent gaps between promises and practice, noting that minorities remain systematically excluded from equal opportunities.
She pointed out that the 5% public sector job quota for minorities remains largely unfulfilled, with more than 70% of reserved posts lying vacant.
Many minority citizens, she added, continue to be confined to sanitation jobs regardless of their qualifications, with some job advertisements explicitly restricting them to low-grade posts.
On the issue of education, Ms Jahan stressed that nearly 60% of minority students report discrimination, including denial of enrollment, classroom segregation, and being compelled to study religious subjects irrelevant to their faith.
In Sindh, 44% of minority children are out of school, compared to the national average of 27%, which she described as a glaring example of structural exclusion.
She further noted that university quota seats for minorities often remain underutilized due to financial barriers, low awareness, and weak enforcement mechanisms hence preventing minorities from accessing higher education and professional advancement.
“These figures,” Ms. Jahan concluded, “speak to the urgent need for real action to make equality and inclusion a lived reality rather than just a constitutional promise.”
Mr Naeem Yousaf Gill acknowledged that there have been positive steps by the state to create opportunities, such as holding a separate CSS exam for minority candidates and providing academic preparatory courses to help them compete in competitive examinations. However, he stressed that such measures must be institutionalized, expanded, and paired with broader structural reforms to ensure long-term inclusivity.
The speakers also expressed concern over recurring incidents of violence against minorities. Referring to the attack on a church in Faisalabad in 2023, They noted that such incidents deepen the political alienation of minorities and erode their trust in state institutions.
“The only way to bridge this trust deficit is through swift, transparent, and impartial investigations and by bringing perpetrators to justice,” the speakers stressed.
They further urged the media and journalists to play their part by responsibly highlighting issues faced by religious minorities, amplifying their voices, and showcasing their positive contributions to Pakistan’s progress. Such coverage, they emphasized, can counter stereotypes and foster greater understanding and inclusion.
Speakers reiterated that inclusivity is not only about protecting minority rights, but about building a stronger, fairer, and more united Pakistan for all.
Speakers urged urgent steps to:
Enforce the 5% job quota and guarantee dignified employment.
Ensure inclusive education policies where minority children can learn in safe, respectful environments.
Implement the Supreme Court’s 2014 landmark judgment, particularly its call for curricula that promote religious tolerance and inclusion.
Promote interfaith dialogue, youth leadership, and peace education.
Expand affirmative action measures, such as special preparatory programs, to enable minority candidates to access higher education and professional careers.
Encourage parliamentarians, policymakers, civil society leaders, and media professionals to champion inclusivity as a national priority.
