By Asim Shahzad
LAHORE – The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has launched its annual report, Streets of Fear: Freedom of Religion or Belief in 2024/25, which highlights the importance of protecting the rights of minority communities and promoting harmony in society.
The report was presented at a seminar in Lahore, where speakers stressed that every citizen deserves equal treatment under the Constitution.
The findings mention that some incidents of discrimination and intolerance were noted during the past year. The report also underlined the need for effective implementation of child protection laws, particularly in cases of early marriages involving minority girls in Punjab and Sindh.
The HRCP observed that hate speech on public platforms and social media creates challenges for interfaith harmony and suggested that awareness and education can help reduce such practices.
The report also encouraged professional and legal bodies to remain neutral and to uphold constitutional values, which are vital for justice and equality.
At the same time, the Commission appreciated positive steps taken by the government, including the passage of the Child Marriage Restraint Act 2025 and provincial efforts to establish centres of excellence for countering extremism and promoting peaceful coexistence.
Among its recommendations, HRCP proposed that governments should strengthen child protection systems, ensure compliance with existing laws and consider review mechanisms through the National Commission for Human Rights in cases where laws may have been misapplied.
Speakers at the seminar emphasized that equality, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence are essential for Pakistan’s unity and long-term stability.
