ISLAMABAD: The joint session of Parliament approved the motion for establishing the National Commission for the Rights of Minorities, with 160 members voting in favor and 79 against.
The Pakistan People’s Party supported the motion; however, PPP’s Qadir Patel voiced his opposition and walked out of the House. Similarly, Senator Abdul Qadir and Aimal Wali Khan also opposed the bill.
Opposition parties protested vigorously, chanting slogans during the session. Due to the disruption caused by the intense sloganeering, the Speaker and the Law Minister resorted to wearing headphones to manage proceedings effectively.
Addressing the gathering, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar stated that this legislation focuses on minority rights and refuted claims that it favors any specific individual, saying it will not benefit “prisoner number 804.” He emphasized the significance of the bill, adding that it clearly defines minorities and their protection.
The clause-by-clause review and approval of the National Commission for the Rights of Minorities Bill 2025 commenced subsequently.
Earlier during the session, chaired by National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Law Minister Tarar presented the motion for debate. He clarified that the commission is intended for non-Muslims and cited a 2014 Supreme Court ruling that mandated such a commission’s formation. He urged that this matter not be politicized.
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman expressed concern over potential misuse of such laws and questioned why Parliament was heading in this direction. Responding to the criticism, the Law Minister reaffirmed that the commission’s purpose is to uphold minority rights. He also highlighted that the bill fulfills a decade-old Supreme Court directive aimed at creating a specialized body for minority rights.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar stated that according to the session’s agenda, seven laws are scheduled to be passed. While acknowledging minorities as equal citizens, he underscored that no legislation conflicting with Islam would be acceptable.
As soon as the proceedings began, opposition members began chanting slogans. To ease tensions, Tarar clarified that no law contrary to Islamic principles outlined in the Quran and Sunnah could be enacted. He assured JUI-F leaders of the government’s willingness to address their concerns, including Kamran Murtaza’s demand to remove Clause 35 from the bill.
Kamran Murtaza, representing JUI, affirmed their stance in recognizing minorities as equal citizens while stressing they would not want their position misunderstood as being anti-minority. However, he deemed two clauses in the bill objectionable. He warned that passing the legislation without amendments could undermine an earlier law addressing Ahmadis’ status. Hence, he argued for removing these contentious clauses from the bill.
