Aug 29

WHEN:

Aug 29th 10:30am

U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Hearing

Navigating Challenges and Opportunities for Religious Freedom in Pakistan

Thursday, August 29, 2024
10:30 AM-12 PM ET
Virtual

Hearing Transcript

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) held a virtual hearing on religious freedom conditions in Pakistan and policy options for the U.S. government.

In 2024, religious freedom conditions in Pakistan continue to decline. Religious minorities are frequently subjected to lengthy prison sentences or solitary confinement under the country’s draconian blasphemy law. Increasing instances of blasphemy accusations have contributed to waves of mob violence that disproportionately impact religious minority communities, resulting in lynchings and damaged places of worship. Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community continue to face harassment and arbitrary arrest, and Hindu, Christian, and Sikh women and girls remain particularly vulnerable to kidnappings and forced conversion.

In its 2024 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the State Department again designate Pakistan as a Country of Particular Concern for its systematic, ongoing, and egregious religious freedom violations. Witnesses discussed the Pakistani government’s legal framework, including blasphemy and anti-Ahmadiyya laws, and laws pertaining to forced conversion. They also examined the U.S.-Pakistan bilateral relationship and discuss opportunities for U.S. engagement and current programming efforts to advance religious freedom.

Opening Remarks

  • Stephen Schneck, Chair, USCIRF
  • Eric Ueland, Vice Chair, USCIRF
  • Asif Mahmood, Commissioner, USCIRF
    Written Remarks

Panel I

  • Änjali Kaur, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Asia Bureau, USAID

Panel II

  • Peter Jacob, Director, Centre for Social Justice
    Written Testimony
  • Asif Aqeel, Founding Director, Center for Law & Justice
    Written Testimony
  • Amjad Mahmood Khan, Adjunct Professor, UCLA School of Law; National Secretary for Public Affairs, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA
    Written Testimony

This hearing is open to Members of Congress, congressional staff, the public, and the media. The video recording of the hearing will be posted on the Commission website. For any additional questions or to schedule an interview, please email [email protected].