Pakistan’s parliamentary committee rejects anti-forced conversion bill


A parliamentary committee has rejected the anti-forced conversion bill, prompting protest from lawmakers belonging to minority communities.
 
Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sahibzada Noorul Haq Qadri, said legislation on the matter could create unrest in the country, and the provincial governments, the National Assembly speaker and the Prime Minister's Office may take other measures to address the issue.
 
He added there was a risk that a law on forced conversions could deteriorate peace in the country and create further problems for minorities.
 
While Senator Mushtaq Ahmed reportedly denied that the problem of forced conversions existed in Pakistan, branding the bill anti-Islam. 
 
However, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan said the government was serious about addressing the problem.

He added that the legislation was being opposed because setting an age limit in the matter goes against Islam and the Constitution of Pakistan. 

While PTI MNA Lal Chand Malhi said the rejection of the bill would mean life becoming a living hell for minorities. 

And minority communities' members argued that young people were being kidnapped and forcibly converted to Islam.
 
And the government was accused of being more worried about the backlash from the legislation from certain groups.