It can be argued that the binary construction, inherently divisive and discriminatory, of ‘self’ and ‘other’ is an outcome of the conditioned and egoic state of humanity. It reminds one of the French philosopher Jacques Derrida who said that ‘self’ and ‘other’ are different, but mutually constitute each other. Indeed, majority-minority group identities are constituted in a way where ‘majority self’, excludes ‘minority other’.
Therefore, the protection of the national cultural, ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities is a prerequisite for the establishment of a just, democratic and harmonious state and society. This was recognized by the founding father of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah when he said “You are free! You are free to go to your temples. You are free to go to your mosques or to any other places of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion, caste or creed—that has nothing to do with the business of the state,”. This set the framework for future national outlook and legislation with respect to the rights of minorities in Pakistan. Indeed, the establishment of such a framework for minority rights was based on the recognition that minorities are in a vulnerable situation in comparison to majority groups in society, and aims to protect members of a minority group from discrimination, assimilation, prosecution, hostility or violence, as a consequence of their status.
Notwithstanding its commitments to ensure minority rights in accordance with national and international laws and need for the preservation of the pluralistic social composition, Pakistan like any other country has faced challenges in the past. The deleterious effects of instrumentalizing religion and Islam during the Afghan Jihad against Soviet occupation in 1979 and later the US-led war against terrorism is well recognized and efforts are made to undone the damage. It is reassuring and commendable to see Pakistan achieving great strides in promoting and protecting minority rights. However, in this age of information warfare, Pakistan’s laudable efforts have not been duly appreciated as Indian propaganda machinery is in full swing to discredit and malign Pakistan’s global image. By presenting factually wrong statements and statics on the issue of minority rights in Pakistan, India has been trying hard, albeit unsuccessfully, to portray itself as the ‘safe heave’ for minorities and deflect international attention from its own worst record of suppressing minorities.
So, let’s consider if ‘forced’ conversions are indeed forced conversions or its more a hyperbole to malign Pakistan. The facts on the issue will help make an unbiased opinion. Consider this, since 2019 a total of 1169 cases of conversions occurred. The percentage of these conversions with respect to different groups are follows: Hindus (88%), Christians (9%), Sikh (less than 1%) and Qadianis (2%). Interestingly, of the 1169 conversions, individual conversions are only 17%, while 83% are family/ collective conversions. Less than only 1% are forced conversion cases in which girls are sent back to parent’s custody. Pakistan has enacted the Hindu Marriage Act 2017 to address the issue which extends to the whole of Pakistan except Sindh as Sindh government has passed the Sindh Hindu marriage Act 2016 (amended in 2018), to facilitate the Hindu community to solemnize their marriages in accordance with the Sindh Hindu marriage Rules, 2019.
To dispel the negative projection of conversion issue, Pakistan Hindu Council and Ulema reached an agreement according to which any Hindu approaching Ulema for conversion will be reported to local Hindu Community leader and his/ her meeting with parents will be arranged (in absence of Ulema). When it comes to the protection of minority rights, the response of the state has been swift and uncompromising. For instance, 117 suspected including 7 main instigators who set ablaze the Hindu Temple were arrested within 2/3 days of event. 12 police officials were dismissed and 92 police officials suspended for negligence in duties to protect mob on Hindu temple in Teri. In such cases the government also releases funds for the reconstruction purposes. Another case at hand is the state’s swift response for Protection of Minorities on Old Qilla Rawalpindi. On 27 Mar 2021, 15 religious motived individuals attacked and tried to damage under renovated temple at Purana Qilla Rawalpindi. FIR was registered against individuals and they were arrested. Unsurprisingly, over 6000 Pakistani Hindus launched a protest campaign against India for its smear campaign against Pakistan on the issue of minorities and 133 Hindus returned in last one year from India amidst improving conditions for minorities.
The response on Blasphemy Laws/ Cases is indiscriminate and since 2005, 56 individuals were convicted on blasphemy offense. 45 Muslims, 7 Christians, 2 Hindus, and 2 Qadianis (Muslims 80%, minorities 20%). Minorities convicted on blasphemy are given fair trial and rights of appeal in higher Judiciary. Acquittal of 5 Christians including Asia Bibi and Shagufta Kausar, Shafqat Emaneul etc by higher Judiciary are cases in point.
In fact, minorities in Pakistan are free to practice religion. There are 2652 Churches (1 church per 664 Christians), 732 Temples (1 Temple per 2734 Hindus) and 167 Gurdwaras (1 Gurdwara per 55 Sikhs) exist. If we draw a comparison in UK there is only one mosque for 2249 Muslims. Pakistan is committed to mainstream and empower the minorities. They are provided with equal rights to education, jobs and business opportunities (Reserve seats in Parliament, minorities on senior positions in bureaucracy, army etc). There are four reserved seats in the Senate and ten in National Assembly of Pakistan for minorities besides the proportional reserved seats in all Provincial Assemblies. The proportional reserved seats for minorities across the four provinces include Balochistan (3), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (3), Punjab (8) and Sind (9).
In pursuit of preserving the pluralistic composition and ensuring equal rights to minorities, Pakistan re-constituted The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) and increased membership of minority communities, who are new in the majority. Moreover, Mr. Chela Ram Kewlani, a member of the minority community, has been appointed as Chairman of the Commission. In terms of quota for Minorities in Services, Pakistan has allocated 5% Job Quota for minorities in all Federal Govt Services, in addition to open merit. On the directions of National Commission for Minorities, implementation of the job quota is being strictly observed by Provincial Governments, Federal Ministries/ Divisions, FPSC, Islamabad, however, Pakistan needs to address any shortcomings in realizing this by addressing the lack of education and awareness.
The Single National Curriculum introduced in consultation with faith scholars at primary level in educational institutions of Pakistan for seven non-Muslim communities (Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Kalash, Bahai, Buddhism and Zoroastrianism) is praiseworthy. Besides that, different welfare measures are being taken, including the creation of Endowment Fund in line with the bill passed by KP on December 8, 2022, increase in scholarships for minority students with effect from March 2014, and provision of free vocational education for Hindus and Sikhs approved by Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) on 15 January 2021.
Apart from the Interfaith Harmony Policy at the Federal level, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has taken a number of initiatives to promote interfaith harmony. These include Declaration/ Celebration of Minorities Day, Public holidays for minorities on their festivals of (Christmas and Easter for Christians, Holi and Diwali for Hindus, Biasakhi and Birthday of Guru Nanak for Sikhs, Nauroze of Zoroastrian, Eid-e-Ridvan for Bahai’s, Festival of Lights for Buddhist community and Chelum Jhust for Kalash people) at official level. The government has also established “District interfaith Harmony Committees” throughout the country and is holding “Interfaith Harmony Conferences” to promote interfaith culture, throughout the county. To mainstream Minorities, Minorities Welfare Fund was established, under which “Small Development Schemes” are carried out for the repair/ maintenance of the religious/ worship places of minorities. Also, Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) established on 16.04.2019 facilitates the Sikh Yatrees from India and across the word on their religious festivals in Pakistan.
Also, the Ministry of Human Rights introduced Hindu Marriage Act, 2017 which extends all over Pakistan except Sindh. This Act is the personal law and contains various provisions specially to protect Hindu women against abused in marriages. Ministry of Human Rights in consultation with Christian Minorities has also prepared a Christian Marriage and Divorce Act. However, certain factions of Christian communities want further deliberation over this draft bill. Once the bill is finalized it will be introduced in Parliament without any delay.
Pakistan has also taken incredible steps to promote Religious Tourism by opening historical Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib Corridor and its operationalization for Sikh community, holding of 550th birthday celebration of Baba Guru Nanak, initiation of Baba Guru Nanak Scholarship for deserving talented student form Hindu & Sikh community, hosting of more than 60,000/- yatrees form across the word, opening of Shewala Teja Mandir and Gurdawara Choa Sahib, Jehlum, filling up of Amer Kund (Holy Water) at Katas Raj, printing and distribution of Books and other promotional material on Sikh & Hindu Heritage. The security of minorities, especially during religious festivals is being strictly ensured. A grievance cell has been set up to resolve complaints of non-Muslims to ensure their democratic and fundamental right to practice their religion without any fear.
In the nutshell, if history is any guide, the protection of national minorities is essential to stability, democratic security and peace. Pluralist and genuinely democratic society should not only respect the ethnic, cultural, linguistic and religious identity of each person belonging to a national minority, but also create appropriate conditions enabling them to express, preserve and develop this identity. The various measures adopted by Pakistan reflects its unwavering resolve to realize the dream of its founding father and to preserve the pluralistic composition of society.
Nisar Ahmed Khan is a Freelance Columnist and researcher based in Islamabad; he can be reached at @KnowNisar
Inaweza kusemwa kwamba ujenzi wa binary, asili ya mgawanyiko na ubaguzi, wa "wenyewe" na "mengine" ni matokeo ya hali ya hali na egoic ya ubinadamu. "Mfano wa hii ni kauli ya mwanafalsafa Mfaransa Jacques Derrida, ambaye alisema ""mtu binafsi na mwingine ni tofauti, lakini kila mmoja hufanyiza mwingine.""" Kwa kweli, utambulisho wa kikundi cha wengi-wachache umefanyizwa kwa njia ambayo "watu wengi" huondoa "wachache wengine". Kwa hiyo, ulinzi wa wa kitaifa, utamaduni, kikabila, kidini na lugha wa wachache ni sharti la kuanzisha haki, kidemokrasia na amani ya serikali na jamii. Hii ilitambuliwa na baba mwanzilishi wa Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah aliposema <unk>Wewe ni huru! Mna uhuru wa kwenda kwenye mahekalu yenu. """Ninyi ni huru kwenda kwenye misikiti yenu au kwenye maeneo mengine ya ibada katika jimbo hili la Pakistan." Unaweza kuwa wa dini yoyote, tabaka au imani ambayo haina uhusiano wowote na biashara ya serikali, Hii iliweka mfumo wa mtazamo wa kitaifa wa baadaye na sheria kuhusiana na haki za wachache nchini Pakistan. Kwa kweli, kuanzishwa kwa mfumo kama huo kwa ajili ya haki za wachache ilitegemea utambuzi kwamba wachache ni katika hali ya udhaifu ikilinganishwa na makundi ya wengi katika jamii, na lengo ni kulinda wanachama wa kundi la wachache kutoka kwa ubaguzi, assimilation, mashtaka, uhasama au vurugu, kama matokeo ya hali yao. Licha ya ahadi zake za kuhakikisha haki za wachache kulingana na sheria za kitaifa na kimataifa na haja ya kuhifadhi muundo wa kijamii wa kidunia, Pakistan kama nchi nyingine yoyote imekabiliwa na changamoto katika siku za nyuma. Matokeo mabaya ya kutumia dini na Uislamu kama chombo wakati wa Jihad ya Afghanistan dhidi ya uvamizi wa Sovieti mnamo 1979 na baadaye vita vya Marekani dhidi ya ugaidi ni ya kutambuliwa vizuri na juhudi zinafanywa kurekebisha uharibifu huo. Ni jambo lenye kutia moyo na lenye kupongezwa kuona Pakistan ikifanya maendeleo makubwa katika kukuza na kulinda haki za wachache. Hata hivyo, katika enzi hii ya vita vya habari, juhudi za Pakistan zinazostahili sifa hazijathaminiwa kwa usahihi kwani mashine ya propaganda ya India iko katika mwendo kamili wa kudharau na kudhalilisha picha ya kimataifa ya Pakistan. "Kwa kutoa taarifa na takwimu zisizo sahihi kuhusu masuala ya haki za wachache nchini Pakistan, India imekuwa ikijaribu sana, ingawa haijafanikiwa, kujielezea kama ""mahali salama"" kwa wachache na kugeuza umakini wa kimataifa kutoka kwa rekodi yake mbaya ya kukandamiza wachache." Kwa hiyo, hebu fikiria kama "kulazimishwa" kubadilisha ni kweli kubadilisha kulazimishwa au ni zaidi ya hyperbole kuharibu Pakistan. Mambo ya hakika juu ya suala hilo yatasaidia kutokeza maoni yasiyo na upendeleo. Tangu mwaka wa 2019, jumla ya kesi 1169 za kugeuzwa imani zimetokea. Asilimia ya watu waliobadilika imani ni kama ifuatavyo: Wahindu (88%), Wakristo (9%), Sikh (chini ya 1%) na Qadianis (2%). Kwa mfano, kati ya watu 1,169 waliobadilishwa imani, ni watu 17 tu ndio waliobadilishwa imani, na ni watu 83 tu ndio waliobadilishwa imani. Ni chini ya asilimia 1 tu ya kesi za kugeuzwa imani kwa kulazimishwa ambapo wasichana wanarudishwa kwa wazazi wao. Sheria ya ndoa ya Kihindu ya mwaka 2017 ili kuondoa utata wa ndoa ya Kihindu nchini Pakistan, na serikali ya Sindh ilipitisha Sheria ya Ndoa ya Kihindu ya mwaka 2016 ili kuwezesha jamii ya Kihindu kuadhimisha ndoa zao kulingana na Sheria ya Ndoa ya Kihindu ya Sindh. "Kutokana na taarifa za kuwa na wasiwasi kuhusu kugeuzwa imani, Baraza la Wahindu la Pakistan na Ulamas walikubaliana kwamba mtu yeyote anayemgeukia Ulamas kwa ajili ya kugeuzwa imani ataarifiwa kwa kiongozi wa jamii ya Wahindu na kukutana na wazazi wake (kwa kukosekana kwa Ulamas).""" Linapokuja suala la ulinzi wa haki za wachache, majibu ya serikali yamekuwa ya haraka na yasiyo na makubaliano. Kwa mfano, watuhumiwa 117 wakiwemo washambuliaji 7 waliowasha moto Hekalu la Kihindu walikamatwa ndani ya siku mbili au tatu baada ya tukio hilo. Polisi 12 wameondolewa kazi na 92 wamesimamishwa kazi kwa kukosa kulinda watu waliokuwa wakipiga kambi kwenye hekalu la Kihindu. Katika visa kama hivyo serikali pia hutoa fedha kwa ajili ya miradi ya ujenzi. Kesi nyingine iliyo karibu ni majibu ya haraka ya serikali kwa Ulinzi wa Wachache kwenye Old Qilla Rawalpindi. Mnamo tarehe 27 Machi 2021, watu 15 wenye nia ya kidini walishambulia na kujaribu kuharibu hekalu lililokuwa likirekebishwa huko Purana Qila Rawalpindi. FIR ilisajiliwa dhidi ya watu binafsi na walikamatwa. Zaidi ya Wahindu 6,000 wa Pakistan walianzisha kampeni ya maandamano dhidi ya India kwa kampeni yake ya kudharau Pakistan juu ya suala la wachache na Wahindu 133 walirudi mwaka mmoja uliopita kutoka India katikati ya kuboresha hali kwa wachache. Kwa mujibu wa sheria za Utukanaji, tangu mwaka 2005 watu 56 wamehukumiwa kwa kosa la Utukanaji. Waislamu ni 45, Wakristo ni 7, Wahindu ni 2, na Qadianis ni 2 (Waslamu ni 80%, wachache ni 20%). Wachache waliohukumiwa kwa kosa la kuchafua sheria wanapewa kesi ya haki na haki ya kukata rufani katika Mahakama ya juu. Kesi ya Wakristo watano, pamoja na Asia Bibi, Shagufta Kausar, Shafqat Emaneul na wengineo, ambayo imepatikana kuwa na hatia na mahakama ya juu ni kesi za msingi. Kwa kweli, wachache nchini Pakistan wana uhuru wa kufuata dini zao. Kuna makanisa 2652 (kanisa moja kwa Wakristo 664), mahekalu 732 (kanisa moja kwa Wahindu 2734) na gurdwaras 167 (gurdwara moja kwa Wasikh 55). Kwa mfano, nchini Uingereza kuna msikiti mmoja tu kwa kila Waislamu 2,249. Pakistan imejitolea kuingiza na kuwezesha wachache. Wana haki sawa za elimu, kazi na fursa za biashara (viti vya hifadhi katika Bunge, wachache katika nafasi za juu katika uburudani, jeshi nk). Kuna viti vinne vilivyohifadhiwa katika Seneti na kumi katika Bunge la Taifa la Pakistan kwa wachache pamoja na viti vilivyohifadhiwa kwa uwiano katika Bunge la Mkoa. Mipaka ya upendeleo kwa ajili ya wachache katika mikoa minne ni pamoja na Balochistan (3), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (3), Punjab (8) na Sindh (9). Kwa lengo la kuhifadhi muundo wa kidini na kuhakikisha haki sawa kwa wachache, Pakistan ilibadilisha Tume ya Kitaifa ya Wachache na kuongeza uanachama wa jamii za wachache, ambao ni wachache katika idadi kubwa. Zaidi ya hayo, Mheshimiwa Chela Ram Kewlani, mwanachama wa jamii ya wachache, ameteuliwa kama Mwenyekiti wa Tume. Pakistan imeweka kiwango cha kazi cha asilimia 5 kwa ajili ya watu wa jamii ndogo katika huduma zote za serikali ya shirikisho, pamoja na sifa za wazi. Kwa maagizo ya Tume ya Kitaifa ya Wachache, utekelezaji wa kipimo cha kazi unafuatwa kwa ukali na Serikali za Mkoa, Wizara za Shirikisho, Idara za Usalama wa Umma, na Islamabad, hata hivyo, Pakistan inahitaji kushughulikia mapungufu yoyote katika kutambua hii kwa kushughulikia ukosefu wa elimu na ufahamu. Mpango wa masomo wa kitaifa ulioanzishwa kwa kushauriana na wasomi wa dini katika ngazi ya msingi katika taasisi za elimu za Pakistan kwa jamii saba zisizo za Kiislamu (Kikristo, Kihindu, Sikh, Kalash, Baha'i, Ubudha na Zoroastrianism) ni ya kusifiwa. "Kulingana na sheria iliyopitishwa na Bodi ya Mali ya Uaminifu ya Kapa tarehe 8 Desemba 2022, kuongeza udhamini kwa wanafunzi wa wachache kuanzia Machi 2014 na utoaji wa elimu ya ufundi ya bure kwa Wahindu na Wasikh, ""aliongeza." Mbali na Sera ya Maelewano ya Dini katika ngazi ya Shirikisho, Wizara ya Mambo ya Dini imechukua mipango kadhaa ili kukuza maelewano ya dini. Siku ya watu wachache ni siku ya likizo ya umma kwa ajili ya watu wachache katika sherehe zao za Krismasi na Pasaka kwa Wakristo, Holi na Diwali kwa Wahindu, Biasaki na Siku ya Kuzaliwa kwa Guru Nanak kwa Sikhs, Nauruz ya Zoroastrian, Eid-e-Ridwan kwa Baha'is, Sherehe ya Taa kwa jamii ya Kibuddha na Chelum Jhust kwa watu wa Kalash. Serikali pia imeanzisha "Komisioni za Mapatano ya Dini za Wilaya" kote nchini na inafanya "Mikutano ya Mapatano ya Dini" ili kukuza utamaduni wa dini, kote nchini. Ili kuingiza wachache katika jamii kuu, Mfuko wa Ustawi wa Wachache ulianzishwa, chini ya ambayo "Mipango midogo ya maendeleo" hufanywa kwa ajili ya ukarabati / matengenezo ya dini / mahali pa ibada ya wachache. "Kama ilivyoelezwa, ""Kikundi cha Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak (PSGPC) kilichoanzishwa tarehe 16 Aprili 2019 kinawezesha Yatra ya Sikh kutoka India na kote ulimwenguni kwenye sherehe zao za kidini nchini Pakistan." Sheria ya ndoa ya Kihindu ya 2017 imepitishwa na Wizara ya Haki za Binadamu na inatumika katika maeneo yote ya Pakistan isipokuwa Sindh. Sheria hii ni sheria ya kibinafsi na ina masharti mbalimbali hasa kulinda wanawake Wahindu dhidi ya unyanyasaji katika ndoa. Wizara ya Haki za Binadamu kwa kushauriana na Wakristo wachache pia imepanga Sheria ya Ndoa na Talaka ya Kikristo. Hata hivyo, vikundi fulani vya jamii za Kikristo vinataka mazungumzo zaidi juu ya muswada huu wa sheria. Mara tu muswada huo utakapokamilika utawasilishwa katika Bunge bila kuchelewesha. Pakistan pia imechukua hatua za kushangaza kukuza utalii wa kidini kwa kufungua Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib Corridor ya kihistoria na uendeshaji wake kwa jamii ya Sikh, kuandaa sherehe ya siku ya kuzaliwa ya Baba Guru Nanak, kuanzisha Baba Guru Nanak Scholarship kwa wanafunzi wenye vipaji kutoka jamii ya Kihindu na Kihindu, kuandaa zaidi ya 60,000 ya yatri kutoka kote ulimwenguni, kufungua Shewala Teja Mandir na Gurdwara Chow Sahib, Kundalunga, kujaza Amer Jihad (Maji Takatifu) katika Kat Raj. Usalama wa wachache, hasa wakati wa sherehe za kidini unahakikishwa kwa ukali. "Kituo cha malalamiko kimeanzishwa ili kutatua malalamiko ya wasio Waislamu ili kuhakikisha haki yao ya kidemokrasia na ya msingi ya kutekeleza dini yao bila hofu yoyote. """ Kwa ufupi, ikiwa historia ni mwongozo wowote, ulinzi wa wachache wa kitaifa ni muhimu kwa utulivu, usalama wa kidemokrasia na amani. Jamii ya kidemokrasia ya kweli na ya kidemokrasia haipaswi tu kuheshimu utambulisho wa kikabila, kitamaduni, lugha na kidini wa kila mtu anayemilikiwa na watu wachache wa kitaifa, lakini pia kuunda hali zinazofaa ambazo zinawawezesha kuelezea, kuhifadhi na kuendeleza utambulisho huo. Hatua mbalimbali zilizochukuliwa na Pakistan zinaonyesha azimio lake la kutotikisika la kutimiza ndoto ya baba yake mwanzilishi na kuhifadhi muundo wa jamii ya wingi. Nisar Ahmed Khan ni mwandishi wa freelance na mtafiti anayeishi Islamabad; anaweza kupatikana kwenye @KnowNisar