LAHORE: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has expressed its concern at the desecration of graves of a religious minority and sought attention of the government towards its legal duty of protecting religious as well as burial sites of minorities.

“HRCP reminds the state that it is legally bound under the 2014 Supreme Court judgment to protect not only religious minorities’ sites of worship but also their burial sites,” says an official post of the rights body on X (formerly Twitter).

“In this context, the continued desecration of Ahmadiyya graves—with about 40 tombstones reportedly vandalised in Sheikhupura between 21 and 24 January—is reprehensible,” it says, adding, “The local administration must be directed to take action against the perpetrators and also ensure that hate speech inciting such acts is stringently penalised.”

Published in Dawn, January 27th, 2025

Opinion

The price of chocolate

The price of chocolate

Little attention is paid to any long-term strategy which might prevent vulnerable children from working in homes where they are in danger.

Editorial

Cholistan project
Updated 18 Feb, 2025

Cholistan project

GPI goals align with Pakistan's broader economic aims but the manner in which the initiative was launched raises questions.
Right to know
18 Feb, 2025

Right to know

IT is an unfortunate paradox that while on paper Pakistan has some of the most impressive right to information laws,...
Dam dispute
18 Feb, 2025

Dam dispute

THE situation in Chilas needs attention and a fair-minded approach so that it can be resolved amicably. Diamer ...
Climate funding gap
Updated 17 Feb, 2025

Climate funding gap

Pakistan must boost its institutional capacity to develop bankable climate projects.
UN monitoring report
Updated 17 Feb, 2025

UN monitoring report

Pakistan must press Kabul diplomatically over its tolerance of TTP terrorism.
Tax policy reform
17 Feb, 2025

Tax policy reform

THE cabinet’s decision to create a Tax Policy Office at the finance ministry has raised hopes that tax policy is...