Forum urges activation of minority commission

Stakeholders seek swift, inclusive implementation of NCMR Act

ISLAMABAD:

Federal and provincial legislators from minority communities, legal experts, and civil society representatives on Thursday called upon the federal government to operationalise the National Commission for Minority Rights (NCMR) through rules and regulations that faithfully reflect the parliamentary intent behind the NCMR Act, 2025.

The call came during a two-day National Deliberative Forum, where participants representing religious minorities deliberated on various aspects of the law and stressed the need for the early operationalisation of the National Commission for Minority Rights to safeguard the rights of faith-based communities. The forum also focused on translating legislation into enforceable outcomes through a structured and inclusive implementation framework.

The event was organised under the project "Inclusivity through Diversity: Promoting Minority Rights in Pakistan," funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the Trust for Democratic Education and Accountability (TDEA), in collaboration with six co-applicants: Sangat Development Foundation, Sudhaar Society, Samaj Development Foundation (SDF), Baanhn

Beli (BB), PAIMAN Alumni Trust and Goth Seengar Foundation (GSF).

The forum, titled 'Strengthening the National Commission for Minorities: From Enactment to Effective Implementation,' examined how the NCMR Act can be translated from legislation into meaningful outcomes that reflect Parliament's original intent.

It brought together more than 22 federal and provincial minority legislators, along with civil society representatives.