Peter Jacob’s Dedication to Human Rights Acknowledged

News Desk

Islamabad: Human rights activists and civil society representatives have called for stronger enforcement of laws and court directives protecting religious minorities, warning that weak implementation continues to undermine equality and religious freedom in Pakistan.

The speakers made the remarks at a reception organised by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) in collaboration with the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and the Christian Study Centre (CSC) to honour Peter Jacob for receiving the US Department of State’s International Religious Freedom Award.

Former PPP Senator Farhatullah Babar said concerns raised by the Supreme Court over the investigation into the Jaranwala incident highlighted broader challenges faced by religious minorities. He attributed growing intolerance and violence in part to the misuse of religion by religio-political groups for vested interests.

The event brought together journalists, lawyers, academics, human rights defenders and representatives of diplomatic missions from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France and the European Union.

HRCP representative Harris Khalique said religious rhetoric had increasingly been used by some political and religious groups to deepen social divisions and radicalise young people.

He called for greater space for dialogue and dissent, urging Parliament to introduce measures ensuring equal citizenship without discrimination. Khalique also called for the effective implementation of the Supreme Court’s landmark Jillani judgment concerning religious freedom and minority rights.

Peter Jacob, the recipient of the international award, urged political parties to translate their commitments to minority rights into parliamentary action. He noted that the manifestos of the PPP, PML-N and MQM included pledges concerning minority rights and called on legislators to honour those commitments.

Jacob said meaningful progress on human rights required collective action by civil society, political institutions and state authorities. Recalling his involvement in campaigns for reforms including the joint electorate system, removal of the religion column from CNICs and amendments to Hudood laws, he said civil society had previously demonstrated that sustained advocacy could produce legislative change.

He dedicated the award to human rights defenders across Pakistan, particularly colleagues at the Centre for Social Justice and members of civil society who have worked to expand democratic and civic space.

Jacob was among eight individuals from different countries recognised through the International Religious Freedom Award, with recipients also coming from Nigeria, Iraq, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Lithuania, Canada and South Africa.

Former police official Dr Shoaib Suddle said governance failures often prevent laws and judicial decisions from producing meaningful results. He urged government institutions to focus on implementation rather than merely introducing legislation or issuing directives.

HRCP’s Shafique Chaudhry congratulated Jacob on bringing international recognition to Pakistan’s civil society. He said the country faced challenges ranging from human rights and security to geopolitical pressures, but stressed that authorities needed to acknowledge these problems and strengthen practical measures to uphold equality, non-discrimination and the rule of law.

Bishop Samuel Azriah also called for continued efforts to bring positive changes to laws and policies.

The speakers stressed that protecting minority rights required more than legislation, with effective enforcement, institutional accountability and political commitment essential to translating constitutional guarantees into realities for citizens.