Sentence of 5-10 years’ jail being considered for those involved in forced conversion


The Parliamentary Committee to Protect Minorities from Forced Conversion is considering recommending five to 10 years imprisonment for anyone involved in forced religious conversion.

It reviewed the proposal which also included the imprisonment of three to five years for facilitators and asked the Ministries of Human Rights and Law and Justice to prepare draft legislation within a week.

The committee also recommended that anyone under the age of 18 be considered a minor.
 
It further said that any person who wishes to change their religion should submit an application to the magistrate.

The committee said the conversion would only be considered legal after being registered by the magistrate.

Additionally, it unanimously recommended that the related bill that would be finalised by the Committee would be effective across Pakistan.

The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has submitted its interim reply regarding the definition of the wali and forced conversion and the the committee said it would review this in detail at the next meeting.