Pakistan: New Report Highlights Discrimination Against Religious Minorities

The National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP), an arm of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Pakistan, submitted a report to the Pontifical Foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) documenting human rights violations against religious minorities in 2025.

The report details specific instances of persecution against Christian communities, including the killings of Kashif Massih, who was tortured to death following theft accusations, and Afzal Masih, who was shot while traveling to the Mariamabad Christian shrine. The NCJP notes that many cases stem from social discrimination. The document mentions that efforts to seek justice for the 2023 Jaranwala attacks have faced obstacles and that some educational materials contain supremacist content.

Blasphemy accusations remain a primary concern for minority groups. In 2025, eight Christians faced formal blasphemy charges, while two others were released on bail following previous accusations. The report indicates that these laws are also misused against certain Muslims. Under Pakistani law, blasphemy penalties range from life imprisonment to the death penalty, and the NCJP highlights that the requirements for filing such accusations are low.