Special Measures Instituted to Protect Religious Minorities: Kashif Mirza
International Religious Freedom Roundtable Co-Chair for Pakistan
The International Religious Freedom (IRF) Roundtables in Pakistan marked a significant step toward promoting religious freedom and encouraging dialogue among various religious communities, according to Muhammad Kashif Mirza, the Coordinator and Director of IRF Pakistan. As the keynote speaker during the introductory session, he emphasized the importance of these efforts in fostering greater understanding. He further stated that minorities in Pakistan are provided with equal protection under the law.
The roundtables, organized by the IRF Pakistan Office and sponsored by the American Muslim and Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council (AMMWEC), aimed to facilitate dialogue and understanding among diverse religious communities, promoting respect for religious diversity. These events, held in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, and several smaller towns, offered a platform for participants to share their experiences and perspectives on religious freedom in Pakistan.
Discussions addressed the challenges faced by religious minorities, including discrimination, violence, and restrictions on religious practices. Participants underscored the need for promoting tolerance and respect for all religions to create a more peaceful and inclusive society.
Chairwoman Anila Ali met with Christian faith leaders from Sargodha and Jaranwala to hear firsthand their plight following recent attacks on their community and places of worship. “I am deeply honored to attend this roundtable in Lahore, hosted by my dear Christian Pakistani sister and faith leader, Mrs. Aster Khalid Naz,” she said.
Anila Ali acknowledged Pakistan’s recent efforts in addressing religious freedom issues. “Pakistan has shown a serious commitment to tackling hate crimes, with institutions responding promptly. However, much more needs to be done,” she added.
In Karachi, the roundtable featured the Honorable Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan, as the VIP guest. He delivered a message from the President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, reaffirming the government’s commitment to religious freedom and interfaith harmony.
For the first time, Islamabad hosted a roundtable, led by the Honorable Senator Kamran Michael, a prominent advocate for minority rights and the president of one of the largest Christian organizations in the country. Senator Michael has been a steadfast supporter of the IRF and its mission to protect religious minorities.
