LONDON, Dec 2, 2024: Jim Shannon, a UK Member of Parliament and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for International Freedom of Religion or Belief, has issued a scathing critique of Pakistan's treatment of religious minorities. Highlighting widespread forced conversions, human rights abuses, and systemic discrimination, Shannon called for urgent action to address what he described as a “dire” and “critical” situation.
Speaking during a recent session in the UK Parliament, Shannon expressed deep concern over the deteriorating conditions for Christians, Hindus, Ahmadis, and Shia Muslims in Pakistan. “I have visited Pakistan twice, in 2018 and 2023, and sadly, I must say that the situation has not improved; it has worsened,” he lamented.
Shannon attributed much of the intolerance to Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, enacted during General Zia ul Haq’s regime, which he described as among the harshest in the world. These laws, he argued, are frequently weaponized against religious minorities, leading to widespread fear and injustice.
“Textbooks continue to promote stereotypes, fostering intolerance among young generations,” Shannon noted. He also criticized the practice of forcing minority students to study Islamic content, further marginalizing them in a society already rife with prejudice. “Economic discrimination compounds these challenges. Non-Muslims are often relegated to low-status jobs, limiting their opportunities for upward mobility and trapping them in a cycle of poverty,” he added.
The MP drew attention to the plight of young girls from Christian and Hindu communities who are abducted, forcibly converted to Islam, and married to their captors. In Sindh province, such cases have become alarmingly common. Shannon highlighted the lack of adequate legal protections, which allow perpetrators to evade justice. “There is something profoundly wrong with a society where 12- or 14-year-old girls can be abducted and married against their will,” he said.
Shannon also underscored the exploitation of Christian laborers in Pakistan’s brick kiln industry, where many work in deplorable conditions and remain effectively bonded to their employers. He further pointed to the plight of Shia Muslims in Parachinar, who face ongoing attacks by extremist groups, including Taliban and ISIS-affiliated organizations.
Despite Pakistan’s constitution guaranteeing religious freedom, Shannon argued that systemic and societal discrimination renders these guarantees meaningless for minorities. He called on the UK government to leverage its influence to advocate for meaningful reforms in Pakistan. Among his recommendations were pressing for changes to the blasphemy laws, supporting NGOs working to rescue and rehabilitate victims of forced conversions, and strengthening legal protections for vulnerable girls and women.
Shannon also emphasized the need for an independent police force in Pakistan capable of applying the law impartially. “The reality of the situation in Pakistan is dire. It is critical. It is at a crisis point,” he warned.
The parliamentary debate culminated in a resolution expressing concern over the worsening state of religious freedom in Pakistan. The resolution called for an end to forced conversions, human rights abuses, and the persecution of religious leaders. It also highlighted Pakistan’s failure to uphold Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.
Shannon concluded by urging the UK government to act decisively. “Pakistan is a beautiful nation with a rich and diverse history, but it is fraught with challenges for its religious minorities. We must stand with them and advocate for change.”
