News Desk
Lahore, August 10:
Rwadari Tehreek Pakistan marked National Minorities Day with a public forum at the Lahore Press Club, urging the government to end religious discrimination, address misuse of blasphemy laws, and legislate against forced religious conversions.
Chaired by Rwadari Tehreek Chairman Samson Salamat, the event brought together victims of religious persecution, legal experts, and leaders from minority communities. Participants shared personal accounts of discrimination and highlighted challenges in accessing justice. Legal advisors from Christians’ True Spirit (CTS), which provides aid and rehabilitation to victims, also spoke at the forum.
Speakers expressed concern over the deteriorating rights of religious minorities and presented a set of demands, including:
Removal of constitutional provisions that discriminate on the basis of religion.
Ban and prosecution of extremist groups promoting hate under the pretext of blasphemy laws, along with removal of hate material from curricula, media, and online platforms.
A “grand dialogue” in parliament to address misuse of blasphemy laws, establishment of a judicial inquiry commission to investigate incidents from Shanti Nagar (1997) to recent mob lynchings.
Legislation to criminalize forced conversions of minors from Christian, Hindu, and other minority communities.
Reform of the system for filling minority seats in assemblies to allow direct election by minority voters.
Participants stressed that blasphemy laws are often misused to settle personal scores, resulting in violence and destruction of minority lives and properties. They also criticized repeated rejection of pro-minority legislation, describing it as a disregard for minority communities’ concerns.
The forum concluded with a pledge to continue advocating for an inclusive and equitable Pakistan where citizens of all faiths can live with dignity and respect.