Punjab Assembly moves to criminalise forced conversions with 5-year jail term

LAHORE: A significant legislative step toward safeguarding minority rights was taken on Tuesday as a bill proposing up to five years’ imprisonment for perpetrators of forced religious conversions was formally introduced in the Punjab Assembly.

The proposed law, titled the Punjab Protection of the Rights of Religious Minorities Bill 2026, was tabled by Falbous Christopher, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Minority Affairs. The bill will now be referred to the same committee for detailed scrutiny before being presented for approval in the provincial legislature.

According to the draft, forced conversion has been explicitly defined as a criminal offence. Any individual found guilty of compelling — or attempting to compel — a person from a religious minority to change their faith through coercion, threats or undue influence could face imprisonment of up to five years, along with a fine. However, the bill makes a clear distinction by excluding voluntary conversions carried out without pressure.

Beyond conversions, the proposed legislation also addresses the sensitive issue of forced marriages involving minorities. It empowers courts to conduct inquiries, issue protection orders, and ensure that any such marriage is only annulled through due legal process, in line with existing marriage and child protection laws.

The bill further calls for a review of educational curricula to identify and remove content that promotes discrimination or intolerance toward minority communities. It also introduces strict provisions to prevent religious bias in employment and public services.

In a bid to protect minority heritage and places of worship, the legislation mandates legal safeguards against the damage, desecration or illegal occupation of religious sites. It also classifies crimes motivated by religious hatred as aggravated offences, allowing courts to consider such intent during sentencing.

Additionally, offences under the proposed law would be treated as cognisable, enabling law enforcement to take immediate action, while courts would be authorised to ensure protection for victims and witnesses throughout legal proceedings.

The move has been widely welcomed as a landmark development, though rights advocates stress that effective implementation will be crucial. Khalil Tahir Sandhu, Pakistan’s only Christian senator, described the bill as a long-overdue measure that reflects the constitutional promise of equality, adding that its success will depend on strong enforcement to ensure dignity and freedom for all citizens.