The Real Obstacle Behind the National Commission for Minority Rights Bill

Despite approval from both Houses of Parliament in May 2025, the National Commission for Minority Rights Bill remains unimplemented. The prolonged delay at the presidency has raised constitutional and political questions about the government’s commitment to minority protection in Pakistan.
The National Commission for Minority Rights Bill, passed by both the National Assembly and Senate in May 2025, was hailed as a landmark step towards ensuring institutional protection for Pakistan’s religious minorities. However, the bill’s journey stalled after reaching the desk of President Asif Ali Zardari, who withheld his assent for several months.
Instead of acting promptly under Article 75 of the Constitution, the President reportedly referred the bill to the Ministry of Law and Justice in September for further clarification. This move, outside the usual constitutional procedure, sparked debate among legal and political circles.
Government officials have maintained that the President merely sought “technical clarifications” before granting assent. Yet constitutional experts disagree, arguing that once a bill has cleared both Houses, the Constitution leaves no discretionary space for such delays.
This episode has exposed a deeper institutional issue: the lack of clarity in the execution of constitutional processes. For many observers, the delay reflects not administrative caution but political hesitancy in implementing reforms that directly strengthen minority rights.
Following criticism from civil society and parliamentarians, the government announced plans to convene a joint sitting of Parliament to move the bill forward. This announcement renewed some optimism, though it also reinforced public suspicion that procedural delays are being used to weaken momentum behind the reform.
Despite the uncertainty, the bill remains significant. It incorporates substantial improvements through consultation and is designed to operate under the Ministry of Human Rights, rather than the Ministry of Religious Affairs, a change aimed at ensuring autonomy and alignment with Pakistan’s international human rights commitments.
The prolonged delay in the Commission’s establishment is more than just a bureaucratic matter; it is a test of political will. Pakistan’s credibility, both domestically and internationally, hinges on whether it can fulfil its constitutional and moral obligations to safeguard minority rights.
Ultimately, the need of the hour is not further legal clarification, but decisive political action.