KARACHI: Minority representatives, civil society activists, and Aurat March organizers held a news conference on Wednesday to highlight the difficulties confronting the minority population and call for protest.
The first minority rights march, named Pakistan’s National Minority Day, will be held on Friday, August 11th.
The participants of presser stated, “With unity and purpose, we have come together as a collective to launch the first Minority Rights March. Every day, people who do not practice the prevailing faith face persecution in Pakistan.”
“We are witnessing an increase in attacks on Christian and Hindu communities, as well as young and underage girls from these faiths being forcibly converted and married against their will. While individuals of minority religions experience daily violence and discrimination, the impending danger of blasphemy law abuse fosters anxiety and uncertainty in both young and old,” they said.
On 11th August, National Minorities Day, we will march together for Equality.
The right activists demanded to end forced conversions, the misuse of the blasphemy law, systemic discrimination and asked for protection and security for churches and temples.
They urged all Political parties should support and unanimously pass legislation to curb and penalize forced conversion of faith and set up parameters to determine legitimate conversion to any faith. Laws pertaining to minorities (federal & provincial) must be made after consultation with women leaders from the respective minority communities.
