In a significant move to safeguard the constitutional and human rights of Pakistan’s religious minorities, the Senate has passed the National Commission for Minorities Bill, 2025, paving the way for the formation of a permanent and empowered body to monitor violations and promote the rights of minority communities.

According to the bill, the newly established National Commission for Minorities will oversee the implementation of minority rights, develop a National Action Plan, maintain a database of complaints, and initiate inquiries on petitions or suo moto (self-initiated) notices regarding abuses or discrimination.

Working in coordination with federal and provincial governments, the commission will also ensure the protection of religious festivals, places of worship, and other cultural practices of minorities. It will be authorized to intervene in legal proceedings and visit police stations and prisons to assess the legal status of minority detainees and recommend appropriate remedies.

The commission will also be empowered to direct authorities to remove discriminatory or hateful content against minorities on social media and pursue legal action against those responsible.

Importantly, the federal government will allocate funds to the commission to provide financial and legal aid to affected individuals and families from minority communities. In addition to this, the commission will ensure the confidentiality and protection of complainants and may recommend disciplinary action against government officials found guilty of negligence.

The passage of the bill follows an intensive review process led by a Senate sub-committee on Human Rights, chaired by Senator Barrister Syed Ali Zafar. The session was attended by Federal Minister for Law and Human Rights Senator Azam Nazir Tarar, as well as minority lawmakers including Senator Khalil Tahir, Senator Danesh Kumar, Senator Gurdeep Singh, Minister Kesoo Mal Kheal Das, and MNAs Dr. Darshan and Naveed Amir Jeeva.

“This is a historic day for minorities — one that will be remembered in the future,” said Senator Ali Zafar. “Just as there are commissions for human rights and women’s rights, a formal commission for minorities is now becoming a reality.”

Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar revealed that the commission will include eight members — four nominated by the government and four by Parliament. Each house (National Assembly and Senate) will nominate two members, one from the treasury and one from the opposition benches. The Prime Minister will supervise both the formation and functioning of the commission, while key ministries such as Human Rights, Law & Justice, Interior, and Interfaith Harmony will have Grade-21 officers as part of the structure.

In addition, each province will be represented by two minority members over the age of 35, preferably with human rights advocacy experience. While preference will be given to sitting parliamentarians, community engagement and professional merit will be key criteria.
Minority leaders and civil society activists have widely welcomed the move. Nasir Saeed, Director of CLAAS-UK (Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement), praised the development, stating“We welcome this crucial step by the Pakistani government. The establishment of a legally mandated and independent commission is something minority communities have long demanded. It has the potential to bring meaningful change — provided it functions transparently and without political interference.”

He added “This commission, if implemented effectively, will allow religious minorities such as Christians, Hindus, and Sikhs to seek justice, protection, and representation. We urge the government to ensure that this body remains empowered, inclusive, and adequately funded.”

Human rights expert Abdul Hameed Nayyar, who was involved in consultations, also expressed optimism, stating that the government had incorporated key civil society suggestions into the draft.

The committee unanimously agreed that nominations will be finalized within 30 days of public notice, and the full commission structure will be completed within 45 days.
The formation of the commission marks an important step toward a more inclusive and accountable system for addressing the long-standing grievances of Pakistan’s minority communities. For many, it signals hope for justice, protection, and equal citizenship in the years ahead.