ISLAMABAD– The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed grave concern over the persistent persecution of religious minorities across the country, particularly in Punjab province.
In a statement issued Tuesday, the HRCP cited the recent lynching of a Christian man in Sargodha district by a mob following blasphemy allegations. The Commission also noted that the Ahmadiyya community has completely withdrawn from the electoral process in the region, citing entrenched discrimination and security threats.
The report highlighted that Punjab continues to lead the nation in cases of child abuse. Between January and June 2024, the province accounted for 78 percent of the country’s 1,630 reported cases. Additional statistics included 2,506 incidents of sexual abuse, 2,189 kidnappings, 457 cases of child trafficking, and 455 reports of physical abuse. The deaths of several underage domestic workers—including 11-year-old Ayesha in Faisalabad—underscored the widespread violence faced by children working in private homes in Sargodha, Lahore, and other cities.
According to the HRCP’s State of Human Rights in 2024 report, Punjab also saw a disturbing rise in sexual violence against women, including those with mental disabilities, along with a number of fatal domestic abuse cases—some involving pregnant women—and continued incidents of so-called honor killings.
In one high-profile case involving an alleged rape at a private college in Lahore, authorities failed to gather sufficient evidence to confirm the incident occurred, the HRCP said.
The report also shed light on the challenges faced by women in politics. It cited an incident in which women members of the Provincial Assembly staged a walkout in protest of inappropriate gestures during a session. Additionally, legal obstacles hindered the allocation of reserved seats for women and minorities.
The HRCP further criticized the neglect of workers’ rights and environmental safety. Sanitation workers were reported to be operating under hazardous conditions, and the provincial government failed to act on dangerously high levels of air pollution in cities like Lahore and Multan, which recorded unprecedented smog in November.
Political repression was also noted. The HRCP condemned the controversial Punjab Defamation Act 2024, passed hastily in June, saying it undermines freedom of expression. The law has since been challenged in the Lahore High Court as unconstitutional.
The Commission also criticized road closures imposed by Punjab authorities to block Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protests in Islamabad, describing them as a violation of the right to free movement for both political activists and ordinary citizens. (Source: IANS)
