ISLAMABAD: Parliament’s joint sitting on Tuesday approved the National Commission for Minorities Bill 2025 with amendments, creating a national body aimed at safeguarding the rights of non-Muslim communities in Pakistan.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar introduced the bill as the session, presided over by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, witnessed opposition from PTI and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) members. The legislation was passed with 160 votes in favor and 79 against.
While presenting the bill, Tarar faced vocal objections from several lawmakers. He clarified that “neither the law and the Constitution nor our conscience allows us to make a proposal that contradicts the Quran and Sunnah,” and noted that four suggested amendments had been incorporated into the final version.
The minister highlighted that minorities are defined as “non-Muslims” in the Constitution, adding: “This is a commission for non-Muslims. Our Hindu, Christian, and Parsi citizens are as much part of Pakistan as we are.” He recalled that a Supreme Court ruling in 2014 called for the creation of such a commission, and the issue has reached the joint sitting after nearly a decade.
PTI chairperson Barrister Gohar Ali Khan questioned why the bill was being reconsidered after the President returned it with reservations. The legislation had previously been passed separately by both houses before the presidency announced a consensus on proposed changes and sent the revised draft back to Parliament.
Barrister Gohar criticized Section 35, which grants the bill overriding authority over prior laws, and Section 12, giving the new commission suo motu powers. JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza echoed these concerns, arguing that the provisions should be removed to avoid conflict with judicial powers limited under the 27th Constitutional Amendment.
Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas stressed the importance of extending rights to minorities while expressing concerns over the marginal role of the opposition during the session. Speaker Ayaz Sadiq intervened several times to keep the debate focused on the bill.
Barrister Gohar also highlighted presidential objections, noting that the term minorities is formally defined for the first time, the appointment and removal of the commission’s chairperson and members must follow procedures similar to judges, the commission can create and upgrade posts independently, and it is allowed to maintain an independent account.
Following the debate, the Speaker put the bill to a vote. Parliament passed the legislation incorporating the amendments suggested by Senator Murtaza. Under Article 75(2) of the Constitution, the bill will now be sent to the President for assent, which is deemed granted if not signed within 10 days.
