TDEA consultation focuses on fortifying minority rights in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Trust for Democratic Education and Accountability (TDEA) convened a national consultation on minority rights here on Thursday, bringing together government ministers, parliamentarians, public officials, development partners, and civil society representatives to discuss the challenges faced by religious minorities and evaluate existing mechanisms aimed at addressing their concerns.

The consultation centred around the findings of TDEA’s research study ‘Living on the Margins’, conducted under its Inclusivity for Diversity project. Funded by the European Union, the three-year initiative began in January 2025.

The research study offers a comprehensive analysis of the socio-economic and political realities experienced by religious minorities in Pakistan.

Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research was carried out in six districts: Ghotki, Hyderabad, and Tharparkar in Sindh; and Lahore, Rahimyar Khan, and Faisalabad in Punjab. Kesoo Mal Kheal Das, the Minister of State for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, was the guest of honour of the ceremony.

Sebastien Lorion, Team Leader, Governance and Human Capital European Union Mission to Pakistan; Ms Anjum Iqbal, Secretary Human Rights and Minority Affairs Department, Sindh; Farid Ahmed Tarar, Secretary Human Rights and Minority Affairs Department, Punjab; Dr Muhammad Arif Laghari, Director International Cooperation, Federal Ministry of Human Rights; Ms Umme Laila Azhar, Acting Chairperson, National Commission on Status of Women; and Manzur Masih, Minority Member of National Commission on Human Rights (NCHR); Peter Jacob from Centre for Social Justice (CSJ); Dr Muhammad Waseem, Chairperson TDEA; and Mukhtar Javed, chairperson Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) spoke during plenary and panel discussions.

The event was attended by civil society activists, human rights defenders, media professionals, and academic scholars. Minister Kesoo Mal, in his address, said the parliament and the government were taking measures, on a priority basis, to promote and protect the rights of religious minorities. He commended TDEA for the study, noting that its recommendations align with the government’s current priorities. He highlighted recent initiatives, including the passage of bill to establish a National Commission for Minority Rights pending presidential assent, federal cabinet’s approval of the National Strategy for Religious Tolerance last February, aimed at fostering mutual respect, countering hate speech, and strengthening legal protections for minorities.

TDEA’s Ms Kanwal Mehmood presented the key findings from the research report highlighting concerns among religious minorities including barriers to accessing their rights in various walks of life and recommending areas for reforms. She said a multi-pronged approach that is required to address the systemic exclusion and discrimination faced by religious minorities in Pakistan that includes strengthening legal safeguards and their enforcement against religious discrimination, especially in housing, education, employment, and public religious expression.

She said community-level efforts should promote interfaith harmony, while civil society must be empowered to monitor rights violations and support local human rights defenders. EU representative Sebastien Lorion also delivered his remarks on the occasion. He reiterated EU’s support to Pakistan’s social and economic development.

The consultation featured two panel discussions – “Current Realities and Barriers: Addressing Challenges to Minority Rights in Pakistan” and “Government Response and Institutional Accountability: Evaluating Protection Mechanisms for Minorities”. Experts from various human rights commissions, government departments, and civil society organisations participated in these discussions.

Dr Muhammad Waseem, Chairperson of TDEA, delivered the keynote address on the state of minority rights in Pakistan. Mukhtar Javed, Chairperson of the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN), delivered the closing remarks and vote of thanks. TDEA is implementing the Inclusivity through Diversity project with the support of six consortium partners i.e. Sangat Development Foundation, Sudhaar Society and Samaj Development Foundation in Punjab and Goth Seengar Foundation, Baanhn Beli and Paiman Alumni Trust in Sindh.