Prescribes penalties of up to five years imprisonment and fines for persons found guilty
LAHORE:
A private member’s bill aimed at strengthening legal protection of religious minorities was introduced in the Punjab Assembly on Tuesday, proposing measures against forced conversions, forced marriages and discrimination.
The Punjab Protection of the Rights of Religious Minorities Bill 2026 was introduced by Falbous Christopher, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Minority Affairs. The bill sought to criminalize forced conversion, prescribing penalties of up to five years in prison and fines for people found guilty of coercion, threats or undue influence.
According to the draft, courts would have the power to intervene in forced marriage cases involving minority individuals, including issuing protection orders. The bill also prohibited discrimination based on religion in education, employment, access to public spaces and provision of services.
In addition, the legislation called for the protection of minority places of worship and religious property, while recommending a review of curricula to remove content that promotes hatred, intolerance or discrimination.
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Commenting on the development, Shahid Rehmat, Executive Director of the Youth Development Foundation, said the bill represented a significant step towards institutionalizing the protection of minorities.
He noted that effective implementation, institutional coordination and guarantees for vulnerable groups, especially women and girls, would be critical to its success.
Separately, Senator Khalil Tahir Sandhu said the legislation reflected constitutional guarantees of equality and protection for all citizens. He described the move to address forced conversions through a legal framework as a necessary and long-awaited step.
The bill, if passed, is expected to provide a comprehensive legal framework aimed at strengthening the protection of minority communities and promoting equality, inclusion and the rule of law in the province.
