‘Weak govt response to forced conversions’

The parliamentary committee in Sindh identifies administrative gaps as a major cause for the continuation of the crime

The parliamentary committee to protect minorities against forced conversions in Sindh has identified administrative gaps as a major cause for the continuation of the crime.

The committee, headed by Senator Anwarul Haq and comprising MNAs as well as senators, met relevant provincial officials on Thursday.

Acknowledging the public-friendly legislation in Sindh, committee members, however, pointed out that inadequate, inappropriate administrative responses had left them meaningless, often failing to curtail crimes.

A senior Sindh government official shared data showing that young girls were a common target for forced conversions, adding that they were usually abducted and then declared they had married a man and willingly converted to Islam.

The committee members were of the view that the relevant provincial authorities lacked the will to protect vulnerable communities from forced conversions in Sindh. They particularly highlighted the indifferent attitude of police officials, who, in their opinion, took such complaints lightly and consciously tried to delay the registration of FIRs.

It was pointed out during the session that several Islamic countries had already adopted comprehensive legislation to protect non-Muslim citizens from such conversions. The committee added that the relevant ministries in Pakistan also needed to make similar interventions.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 9^th, 2020.