Zubair Qureshi
Parliamentary Committee on Minorities in its meeting held on Monday expressed concerns over the rising number of kidnapping of non-Muslim girls in the country, particularly in Sindh and their forced conversion to Islam.
While taking up the cases of forced conversions the committee members stressed the need to visit areas particularly in Sindh, from where such cases were increasingly reported.
They held this was essential to vet circumstances on-ground and ensure timely and effective resolution of the matter.
Senator Anwaarul Haq Kakar chaired the meeting that discussed and debated in great detail the circumstances under which usually such conversions take place.
The committee chairman was of the view that the matter should be considered from all angles and needed to be seriously considered before reaching any conclusion.
The other members of the committee who participated in the discussion included Senator Dr Sikander Mandhro, Senator Rana Maqbool Ahmed, Mna Shunila Ruth, MNA Jai Prakash, MNA Lal Chand, MNA Dr. Darshan, MNA Keshoo Mal Kheeal Das, MNA Ramesh Lal, MNA Dr. Ramesh Kumar Vankwani and senior officers of the Ministry of Human Rights, Ministry of Minorities.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Member of the Committee, Ali Muhammad Khan was present as well.
The committee was informed that there had been just one case of forced conversion in the precincts’ of Islamabad.
Saima Iqbal Masih, was kidnapped from Iqbal Town. The Committee showed grave concern regarding the rising number of cases in Sindh and asserted that the stringent action must be taken against perpetrators of such crimes. The committee was of the view that formulation of legislation in this regard is essential for any policy-making on forced conversions.
Analysis of circumstantial evidence and corroborating statements must be sought as well.
The committee also discussed summoning of the IG Police, Sindh in the next meeting and directed the National Commission for Minorities to submit all related evidence so that cases may be cross-examined. In the meeting a holistic approach to review the matter was stressed.
