Federal Minister for Human Rights Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada held a meeting with the parliamentary delegation of All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Freedom of Religion or Belief from the United Kingdom at Ministry of Human Rights in Islamabad. Minister welcomed the delegates and said that Pakistan has traditionally strong and strategically significant and long-lasting relations with the UK. In response to a question posed by one of the delegates on the steps taken by the state for the protection of minorities minister said that there was a strong constitutional and structural framework present in the country for the freedom and protection of the rights of minorities. Articles 20, 21, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 33 and 36 of Pakistan’s Constitution provide guarantees to the minorities regarding freedom of religion, equal participation as well as right to preserve and promote their cultural identity, value and practices. He expressed that it was a fact that whenever we were to receive some visit of international monitory or human rights organization, an untoward incident happens where foreign spy agencies of hostile neighbors were mainly involved for doing fake propaganda to defame Pakistan. Minister further stated that recent incident of lynching a man accused of blasphemy in Nankana Sahib is very tragic and highly condemnable act. No one should be allowed to take law into own hands. Blasphemy laws are framed for the deterrence and punishment are rigorous in such offenses but the misuse of these laws can only be averted by taking strict actions under the law against the culprits. He said that Police have taken into custody many people involved in this heinous crime and they will be certainly punished by the courts after due course of action and proceedings. Minster added that in Pakistan state institutions and forces are fully vigilant about any human rights violation. We are victim of cross-border terrorism and vicious propaganda. Delegates were further apprised that National Action Plan on Human Rights will introduce policy and legal reforms particularly for the priority segments including women, children, minorities etc. In his concluding remarks, minister reiterated his commitment to safeguard and uplift the minority rights in the country. He said that the international human rights watchdogs show their vigilance on every single tragic incident happening in Pakistan but are easily overlooking persecution of religious minorities and atrocities of Indian forces in IIOJ&K. ****************
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