Karachi : The International Religious Freedom (IRF) RoundTable Pakistan has welcomed the passage of the National Commission for Minorities’ Rights Bill 2025, terming it a major milestone in implementing constitutional and international commitments on religious freedom. The legislation, passed in compliance with the Supreme Court’s June 19, 2014 judgment and relevant global treaties, will establish a 30-member Commission with 33% mandatory female representation.
IRF RoundTable Pakistan’s National Director, Muhammad Kashif Mirza, said the bill marks a shift from “realization to materialization of rights.” He noted that the Commission will have financial autonomy, eliminating the need for prior government approval to use its allocated funds. The new body will also have the powers of a civil court to investigate rights violations. Mirza said these measures bring Pakistan closer to fulfilling its obligations under the UDHR and ICCPR. He congratulated the government and minority communities, crediting civil society, lawyers, parliamentarians, and the Supreme Court for helping secure a decade-long struggle toward establishing an independent and empowered Commission.
Co-Chair of the IRF Roundtable for Pakistan, Anila Ali, called the bill a long-awaited step toward protecting Pakistan’s vulnerable religious communities. She said minorities have long lived under the threat of violence, discrimination, and legal inequities. Ali urged Parliament to pass the bill without delay and ensure its independence from political interference, adding that a strong Commission would enhance justice, accountability, democracy, and Pakistan’s global standing.
