Pakistan's Defence Minister condemns minority safety concerns, labels situation a ‘Global Embarrassment’

Pakistan's Defense Minister, Khawaja Asif, voiced serious concerns about the safety of religious minorities in Pakistan during a national assembly session, according to news agency ANI. Asif highlighted that, despite constitutional protections, minorities, including smaller sects within Islam, face targeted violence. He emphasized that minorities are frequently victims of violence justified by religious pretexts, leading to global embarrassment for Pakistan.

"Every day, minorities are being killed. They are not safe under the guise of Islam. I want to address the issue of minority safety, but the opposition is blocking my efforts," Asif stated, expressing frustration over the lack of political support. He pointed out that many victims are not linked to blasphemy but are targeted due to personal grudges.

Personal vendettas and broader persecution

Asif stressed that even smaller Muslim sects are not safe, describing the situation as disgraceful. He announced plans to propose a resolution to protect minorities, underscoring the need for stronger measures to uphold constitutional guarantees. "While our constitution guarantees minority rights, there are incidents of violence occurring across various locations. Those who have been killed so far did not have any evidence linking them to blasphemy; rather, these killings seem to stem from personal vendettas," he added.

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Reports from the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and Human Rights Watch reveal ongoing difficulties for minorities such as Hindus, Sikhs, and others. They face coerced conversions, abductions, homicides, and attacks on their religious sites. The Ahmadiyya community, in particular, suffers significant persecution, including legal restrictions, hate speech, and violent attacks driven by their religious beliefs.

Christians also encounter discrimination in employment and education, facing blasphemy accusations that often lead to mob violence and attacks on churches, making them vulnerable to societal and legal persecution.

A recent case in the Swat region of Pakistan involved a mob lynching a man accused of desecrating the Holy Book inside the Madyan police station, as reported by Dawn. The victim, a tourist from Sialkot, was burned alive by an enraged crowd on June 20, according to a video circulating on social media. This incident marks the second lynching over blasphemy allegations in recent weeks, with another man killed in Sargodha last month.

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