Islamabad:
A joint session of Parliament passed the National Commission for Minority Rights Bill 2025 with a majority vote. A total of 160 members supported the bill, while 79 opposed it. Opposition lawmakers protested loudly and walked out of the assembly after sloganeering.
The PPP largely supported the bill, though party member Qadir Patel opposed it and exited the House. Senators Abdul Qadir and Aimal Wali Khan also voted against the legislation.
During the protest, opposition members chanted slogans including “Long live Prophet Muhammad” and “Long live the Prophethood.”
Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar clarified that the bill is strictly related to minority rights and does not affect “prisoner number 804,” addressing concerns raised by certain opposition members. He stated that the definition of minorities has been clearly outlined, and the bill is essential for the protection of their rights.
The bill was approved clause by clause, except for Clause 35, which was withdrawn by the Law Minister after an amendment by Alia Kamran of JUI-F. The House approved the removal of Article 35 with a majority vote.
In addition to this, the House also passed the Convention on Biological and Toxin Weapons Implementation Bill 2024 and the Pakistan Intention for Management Sciences Technology Bill 2023. The National Assembly Secretariat Employees Amendment Bill 2025 was presented, with clause-wise approval still underway.
🔹 Joint Session Proceedings
The session began under the chairmanship of National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar presented the motion to consider the Minority Rights Bill.
He reminded the legislature that in 2014, the Supreme Court had ordered the formation of a commission for minorities’ rights, and that politics should not interfere with this obligation.
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman questioned the need for a law that could potentially be misinterpreted or misused.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar said minorities are equal citizens, but stressed that no legislation can contradict Islamic principles.
As soon as the session began, opposition lawmakers raised slogans and continued to protest.
The Law Minister repeatedly assured the House that no law can contradict the Quran and Sunnah, and that the government has already addressed JUI’s concerns by removing Clause 35. He emphasized, “It is not in our authority to pass any law that encourages Qadiani sedition.”
JUI’s Kamran Murtaza said that they are not against minorities and consider them equal citizens, but warned that the bill contained two problematic points. He argued that passing it in its original form could invalidate previous laws regarding Qadianis.
Law Minister Tarar reiterated that the Constitution already declares Qadianis as non-Muslims, and that removing Clause 35 resolves the issue raised by JUI.
The Speaker noted humorously that even a “suo motu case” appeared to break out within the House, referring to Alia Kamran’s amendment targeting Kamran Murtaza’s concerns.
Allama Raja Nasir Abbas criticized the overall legislative process, saying that Pakistan’s biggest issue is the violation of human rights. He questioned the absence of an opposition leader and called the rapid passing of laws “hasty.”
Senator Noorul Haq Qadri stated that religious groups have no dispute with minorities such as Hindus, Sikhs, and Christians, but expressed serious reservations regarding Qadianis. He warned that this bill may become the “final nail in the coffin.”
PPP’s Qadir Patel remarked that even the Prime Minister who declared Qadianis non-Muslims did not have a beard, and claimed that accountability would occur on the Day of Judgment. He urged the Law Minister not to “open such a door” and vowed to resist the bill.
