A hospital in Lahore is apparently forcing its non-Muslim staff to either recite verses from the Holy Quran at morning assembly or be marked absent for the day.

Mian Mir Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Muhammad Sarfraz allegedly slapped a Christian paramedic for not attending the assembly, prompting the paramedical staff to protest and shut down all functions of the medical facility.

Nasir Saeed, Director CLAAS-UK said that article 20 of the constitution of Pakistan guarantees religious freedom, and therefore such acts are a serious breach of the minorities’ constitutional and religious rights. He said it also a violation of the international treaties like ICCPR ratified by the Pakistan.

Mr Saeed said: “The Pakistani government must take this matter seriously and appropriate action must be take against MS Mian Mir Hospital Dr Muhammad Sarfraz.”