Hostile Neighbours Use Faith As Weapon Against Pakistan, says Pirzada

News Desk

Islamabad: The Federal Minister for Human Rights Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada has said that violence against religious minorities is orchestrated by spy agencies of hostile neighbours to spoil Pakistan’s image internationally.

Whenever any international monitoring or human rights organisations visit Pakistan, an untoward incident happens, he claimed, adding that there was a strong constitutional and structural framework present in the country for the freedom and protection of the rights of religious minorities.

Human rights Minister Pirzada informed the delegation that articles 20, 21, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 33, and 36 of the Constitution provide guarantees to the minorities regarding religious freedom, equal participation, and the right to preserve and promote their cultural identity, values and practices.

He was talking to the parliamentary delegation of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Freedom of Religion or Belief from the United Kingdom at the Ministry of Human Rights in Islamabad on Tuesday.

The Human Resources Minister called the mob lynching of a man accused of blasphemy in Nankana Sahib a tragic incident.

“No one should be allowed to take the law into their own hands. Blasphemy laws are framed for deterrence, and punishment is rigorous in such offenses, but the misuse of these laws can only be averted by taking strict actions under the law against the culprits,” Riaz Hussain stated.

Many people involved in this heinous crime had been apprehended by the police, and they would undoubtedly be punished by the courts after due course of action and proceedings, the HRs minister informed the delegation.

Minister added that in Pakistan, state institutions and forces are extremely vigilant against any violation of human rights.

“We are victims of cross-border terrorism and vicious propaganda,” Riaz Hussain said. Delegates were further apprised that the National Action Plan (NAP) on Human Rights will introduce policy and legal reforms, particularly for women, children, minorities, etc.

The minister reaffirmed his commitment to protecting and promoting minority rights in the country. He claimed that international human rights watchdogs pay close attention to every tragic incident in Pakistan but ignore the persecution of religious minorities and atrocities committed by Indian forces in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Agency