Islamabad 19th December, 2016: Speaking in the Senate on the issue of safeguarding religious freedom in Pakistan, Senator Sehar Kamran (TI) said Article 36 of the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees protection of minorities in the country. She said the foundation of safeguarding the rights of all citizens irrespective of their caste, colour, or gender was enshrined 1400 years ago in the ‘Medina Charter’ by Holy Prophet Muhammad SAW. She stated that Quaid-e-Azam Muhamad Ali Jinnah in his famous 11th August, 1947, speech in the Constituent Assembly also called for equal rights for all citizens of Pakistan.
Senator Kamran said today people have adopted their own versions of the religion which is damaging the social fabric of the society. She said we must appreciate the Sindh government and Pakistan People’s Party for initiating historic measures like introduction of a separate religious curriculum for Hindu and Christian students, passing of the Hindu marriage bill, adoption of the bill against forced religious conversions etc. to name a few. She especially praised the Government of Sindh for taking positive steps towards ensuring religious freedom and tolerance, including the official celebration of the festivals of ten religious minorities.
Senator Kamran criticized the federal government on its inability to protect religious freedom of minorities in the country. She said the human rights report stating that 1,000 girls have been forced to convert recently is extremely worrisome. She also called upon the government to take measures to ensure protection of minorities in the country.