Commission on minorities to have 19 members

The Senate Sub-Committee on Human Rights on Wednesday vetted the National Commission for Minorities Bill 2025.

The sub-committee's meeting was held under the chair of Senator Ali Zafar. During a briefing on the bill, Human Rights secretary said that the commission's chairperson would be appointed from the minority communities while the Prime Minister will have the authority to appoint the commission's head.

The National Commission for Minorities will consist of 19 members with a background in human rights services. The commission will include three members each from the Hindu and Christian communities, and one each from the Sikh, Parsi and Kalash communities. Two members of the commission will be Muslim. One member each will be taken from the Islamic Ideology Council and the Evacuee Trust Property Board. One member each will be appointed from all provinces and the federation. The maximum age for commission members will be 40 years.

The commission is being established to protect the rights of minorities and will be responsible for formulating a National Action Plan. It will be vested with the powers of a civil court. It could seek reports from government or any other department, according to the Human Rights secretary.

Minister of State for Religious Affairs Khael Das Kohistani supported the bill, saying it is good to approve the bill as early as possible.