Despite 10-year delay in implementing Supreme Court’s 2014 orders, government accused of “rushing” legislation
The National Assembly on Wednesday passed the 27th Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2025. PHOTO: RADIO PAKISTAN
The National Commission for Minority Rights Bill 2025 was passed by the National Assembly and the Senate in a joint session on Tuesday, despite intense debate. The landmark legislation aims to protect the rights of non-Muslims and establish a dedicated commission for minorities.
The bill is part of a decades-long effort to implement the Supreme Court’s 2014 directive for a special commission to protect minority rights. Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, who moved the bill, said, “The bill was delayed for 10 years and politics should not affect it”. He added that the passage of the bill marks a historic step towards formalizing the protection of minority rights in Pakistan.
According to the bill, the commission will consist of 16 members. Each of the four provinces will appoint two minority members. One member will represent Islamabad, nominated at the discretion of the Chief Commissioner. Three members will come from existing bodies – the National Commission on Human Rights, the National Commission on the Status of Women and the Commission on the Rights of the Child – appointed by their respective chairmen. Officials from the Ministry of Law, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Human Rights in Class 21 will also serve on the commission. Members and the chairman must be at least 35 years old, and the chairman must have experience with human rights.
Read: 2014 judgment on minorities not yet implemented: SC
The session saw heated exchanges on the long-standing issue of protection of minorities and the Qadiani community. Minister Tarar emphasized that the bill aimed to implement the Supreme Court directive and assured the lawmakers that no legislation would be contrary to the Quran and Sunnah.
Section 35 of the Bill relating to the Qadiani community was withdrawn. The JUI-F-led amendment to remove the clause, moved by Alia Kamran, was passed by a majority. Minister Tarar assured the lawmakers that the commission would uphold the constitution and that no legislation would be contrary to the Quran and Sunnah.
Kamran Murtaza highlighted the potential conflict with earlier protection of Qadianis, while Senator Noorul Haq Qadri and Qadir Patel stressed that the bill should not be misused against any community.
Murtaza warned that Section 35 could undermine existing security measures for Qadianis. Tarrar replied that the constitution recognizes Qadianis as non-Muslims and agreed to remove the clause. Senator Noorul Haq Qadri clarified that PTI and JUI-F had no objections regarding Hindus, Sikhs or Christians, but the Qadiani community remained a sensitive issue. Qadir Patel added: “No law should be passed that can be misused and accountability will be on the day of judgement.”
Opposition leaders, including Maulana Fazlur Rehman, criticized the 27th constitutional amendment, saying it did not meet democratic requirements and had created social divisions. He recalled that even under Bhutto in 1973, negotiations were held before the amendments were passed.
Read more: Two more bills to protect the rights of minorities on the cards
Expressing concern over following Western models, Fazlur Rehman said, “Today we are following the path of the Jews and Christians,” and called for the constitution to be corrected and mistakes to be reversed.
Raja Nasir Abbas highlighted Pakistan’s ongoing human rights challenges and questioned the rapid pace of legislation, while Fazlur Rehman warned that the debate risked reopening old controversies.
