Serious doubts over UNHRC member Pakistan’s commitment in preventing human rights violations at home
Islamabad, Dec 12 – Even though Pakistan’s constitution formally guarantees basic rights to everyone, minority communities keep facing entrenched difficulties such as discriminatory legislation, economic obstacles, lack of political voice, sectarian violence, and textbooks that feed religious intolerance.
Pakistan is an active member of the United Nations and was recently elected to the Human Rights Council for the 2026‑2028 term — its sixth stint on the Council since 2006. Yet many observers remain skeptical about the country’s real commitment to protecting human rights at home.
“Human rights violations against minorities in Pakistan include systemic discrimination, forced conversions, misuse of blasphemy laws, torture/extrajudicial killings, and marginalization,” wrote Emanuel Adil Ghouri in the Pakistan Christian Post. He cited data from the National Human Rights Commission up to July 2024, noting that 767 people were imprisoned on blasphemy accusations, a sharp rise from 213 in 2023, 621 in 2020 and a record 99 that same year.
The same study records 104 extrajudicial killings connected to blasphemy between 1994 and 2024. Christians made up 26 % of the victims, along with a Hindu, a Buddhist, and two whose faith was unknown.
Research by the Centre for Social Justice — an organisation that documents forced conversions of minority girls — shows that more than 46 % of those targeted were Hindu women and girls, 44 % were Christians, and almost half were underage, with about a third aged 11‑15.
Beyond these figures, minorities continue to suffer discrimination, restrictions on religious freedom, and political and social inequality. International bodies, including the European Union and the United Nations, have repeatedly voiced concern on the matter.
As the Pakistan Christian Post highlighted, the UN Declaration and reports from global human‑rights bodies point out that protective measures are poorly enforced. UN officials, including the Secretary‑General, have condemned attacks on religious and ethnic minorities and demanded rapid action. Special Rapporteurs call for an end to widespread violence and discrimination.
On December 9, a leading minority‑rights group brought attention to the killing of a Christian spiritual leader in Punjab, who was shot dead outside his home just two months after surviving a similar attempt in Islamabad.
The Voice of Pakistan Minority (VOPM) reported that the incident occurred on the morning of December 5. Pastor Kamran and his daughter Numeer were leaving for college when an assailant on a motorcycle opened fire from close range, striking Kamran several times. He was rushed to the Civil Hospital in Gujranwala, Punjab, but later died of his injuries.
The organization added that Kamran’s death stunned the Christian community nationwide, leaving wife Salmina and their three young children to face an unimaginable loss.
According to VOPM, the tragedy is even more painful because Kamran had already survived violence two months earlier when extremists attacked him in Islamabad. Although he escaped, he was injured.
“The brutal murder has reignited fears among Christians in Pakistan, already living under the constant threat of violence. Pastor Kamran’s death is not an isolated incident, but part of a growing pattern of attacks against those who dare to stand for their faith in an increasingly hostile environment. The pain and loss felt by his family are echoed in the hearts of many who knew him and in the communities he served,” the VOPM stated.
While police have opened an investigation, the VOPM expressed concern over the slow pace and limited decisiveness of local authorities.
“Pastor Kamran’s killing is yet another reminder of the deep‑seated vulnerability of religious minorities in Pakistan and the impunity that often surrounds these heinous acts,” it added.
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