HRCP condemned two extrajudicial killings of blasphemy suspects by police, stressing urgent need for police reforms and stronger accountability measures
Islamabad
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has reported a sharp rise in violence and discrimination against religious minorities over the past year. In its report “Streets of Fear: Freedom of Religion or Belief in 2024/25”, the HRCP documented targeted killings, forced conversions of underage Hindu and Christian girls, the destruction of worship places, and growing hate speech.
The rights body expressed alarm at two extrajudicial killings where police shot blasphemy suspects who had sought protection from mobs. HRCP said such actions highlight the urgent need for police reforms and stronger accountability systems.
The report also pointed to recent tragedies, including the lynching of a Christian man in Sargodha after blasphemy accusations and the Ahmadiyya community’s withdrawal from elections due to systemic discrimination and safety concerns.
Child abuse remains widespread, with Punjab reporting the highest number of cases. Between January and June 2024, 1,630 child abuse cases were recorded nationwide, of which Punjab accounted for 78 per cent. These included over 2,500 sexual abuse cases, 2,189 kidnappings, 457 trafficking cases, and 455 instances of physical abuse. The deaths of child domestic workers, including 11-year-old Ayesha in Faisalabad, further exposed the dangers faced by underage laborers.
The HRCP also reported an alarming increase in sexual violence against women, domestic abuse leading to fatalities, and ongoing honour killings. In one case in Lahore, authorities failed to gather evidence in an alleged rape at a private college.
Additionally, women in politics continue to face hurdles, with female legislators staging a walkout in Punjab Assembly over inappropriate gestures, while legal setbacks hampered reserved seats for women and minorities.
