In a significant legislative milestone, the Senate of Pakistan has passed the National Commission for Minorities Bill, 2025, paving the way for the creation of a permanent and independent body to safeguard the rights of religious minority communities across the country.

The proposed National Commission for Minorities will be tasked with monitoring the implementation of constitutional protections for minorities, developing a National Action Plan, maintaining a database of complaints, and initiating inquiries—both on petitions and suo moto (self-initiated) actions—into incidents of discrimination or abuse.

Working in coordination with both federal and provincial governments, the commission will also be responsible for ensuring the protection of minority religious festivals, places of worship, and cultural heritage. It will have the authority to intervene in legal proceedings and visit police stations and prisons to assess the treatment and legal status of minority detainees, offering recommendations where necessary.

The bill further empowers the commission to direct relevant authorities to remove hate speech or discriminatory content from social media platforms and initiate legal action against perpetrators of such content. Additionally, the federal government will allocate funds to enable the commission to offer financial and legal assistance to individuals and families from minority communities affected by abuse or injustice.

Significantly, the commission will guarantee the confidentiality and safety of complainants and may recommend disciplinary action against government officials found negligent in their duties to protect minorities.

The legislation was finalized after thorough deliberations led by the Senate Sub-Committee on Human Rights, chaired by Senator Barrister Syed Ali Zafar. The session saw participation from Federal Law and Human Rights Minister Senator Azam Nazir Tarar, along with minority lawmakers including Senator Khalil Tahir, Senator Danesh Kumar, Senator Gurdeep Singh, Minister Kesoo Mal Kheal Das, and MNAs Dr. Darshan and Naveed Amir Jeeva.

“This is a historic day for minorities — one that will be remembered in the future,” said Senator Ali Zafar. “Just as there are commissions for human rights and women’s rights, a formal commission for minorities is now becoming a reality.”

According to the bill, the commission will include eight members—four nominated by the government and four by Parliament. Each house (National Assembly and Senate) will nominate two members, one from the treasury and one from the opposition. The Prime Minister will supervise both the formation and functioning of the commission, and Grade-21 officers from key ministries such as Human Rights, Law & Justice, Interior, and Interfaith Harmony will be part of the body’s operational framework.

Furthermore, each province will be represented by two minority members above the age of 35, preferably with a background in human rights advocacy. While preference will be given to sitting parliamentarians, community representation and professional merit will also be key factors.

The final structure of the commission is expected to be completed within 45 days, with nominations finalized within 30 days of a public notice.

For Pakistan’s religious minorities, the commission’s creation marks a hopeful step toward institutional reform and accountability. Rights groups and civil society actors have expressed optimism that this initiative could help address long-standing grievances and promote equal citizenship for all.