ISLAMABAD: Parliament in a joint session on Tuesday approved the National Commission for Minority Rights Bill amid strong protest and sloganeering from the opposition.
The session, chaired by National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, saw Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar present the bill, noting that the president had earlier returned it for further debate.
The motion secured 160 votes in favour and 79 against, though PPP’s Abdul Qadir Patel walked out despite his party’s support.
The minister said that no legislation could contradict the Quran and Sunnah and clarified that the bill solely concerns non-Muslim citizens, carrying no provisions that could benefit the Ahmadiyya community. He noted the bill had been pending for 12 years and required approval.
Opposition leaders, including Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Senator Aimal Wali Khan and Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, argued that although they supported minority rights, the legislation could invite misuse or compromise religious sensitivities.
Lawmakers warned against any measure perceived as undermining Islamic principles. Abdul Qadir Patel echoed these concerns before leaving the chamber, insisting that no step should affect the sanctity of the Prophet (PBUH).
The joint sitting also approved several other major bills, including amendments for National Assembly Secretariat employees, the Biological and Toxic Weapons Convention Implementation Bill 2024 and legislation concerning management and technology institutes.
Bills on journalist protection, the Pakistan Animal Council and further minority rights measures were also set to be ntroduced.
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