Lahore: – A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on “Mapping the Minority Rights Landscape: Economic, Social, Cultural, Civil, and Political Rights”. The event was organized by the Parliamentarians Commission for Human Rights (PCHR) as part of the European Union-funded project “Together for Tolerance: Strengthening Minority Rights and Inclusion.” The project is being implemented in certain districts of Punjab and Sindh, by PCHR in partnership with the Center for Social Justice (CSJ).
The Focus Group Discussion commenced with welcome remarks by Shafique Chaudhry, Executive Director of PCHR, followed by an introduction to the study’s objectives by Mr. Peter Jacob, Executive Director of CSJ. Researchers Dr. Shafqat Munir Ahmad and Dr. Sofia Anwar provided critical insights into the ongoing studies aimed at evaluating Pakistan’s compliance with international human rights frameworks, including ICCPR and ESCR obligations under the GSP+ regime.
Key stakeholders, including parliamentarians, researchers, legal experts, civil society representatives, and members of minority communities, actively participated in the discussion.
Representatives from government departments such as the Punjab Treaty Implementation Cell, police, and the Human Rights and Minority Affairs departments shared updates on initiatives to protect minorities and promote their economic, social, and cultural rights. Their contributions highlighted significant efforts of the Punjab Government to address the challenges faced by religious minorities and ensure their inclusion in Pakistan’s social and legal frameworks.
The moderated discussions shed light on systemic patterns of discrimination ingrained in Pakistan’s institutions by successive governments. Participants pointed out constitutional inconsistencies that have translated into discriminatory laws, endangering the lives and rights of religious minorities. Discussions also emphasized the lack of political representation of religious minorities in policymaking bodies and their near absence in higher judiciary. These gaps further perpetuate systemic exclusion and hinder efforts toward inclusive governance and justice.
The discussions emphasized the need for comprehensive legal reforms, effective implementation of protective measures, and enhanced representation of minorities in decision-making processes to address these systemic issues.
The discussion concluded with a series of suggestions and recommendations for the ongoing research studies. These inputs will guide researchers in building a robust case and accurately reflecting the current state of civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights of religious minorities in Pakistan.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
