Pakistan: Bill to protect religious minorities rejected

As the Business Recorder reported on 1 February 2021, the Senate has rejected a proposed bill for the protection of religious minorities. Thomas Muller, persecution analyst at World Watch Research, explains: "The intention of the bill, that religious minorities may enjoy full and unhindered religious freedom, was very simple and perfectly understandable. The reasoning behind the bill"s rejection cannot claim the same level of clarity. According to a report by UCA News on 2 February 2021, the chairman of the Senate Commission, Senator Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, who represents a religious party, said that minorities already enjoy unprecedented religious freedom in Pakistan. This mindset highlights why life is so difficult for those belonging to a religious minority in the country and is one reason why Pakistan constantly ranks high on the Open Doors World Watch List (WWR, WWL 2013-2021, password: freedom)."