The draft of Pakistan’s anti-conversion bill under scrutiny by clerics

Courtesy: pakistantoday.com.pk

It is reported by ‘Dawn’ news that the Ministry of Religious Affairs invited only Muslim stakeholders to the in-camera meeting on 23 August. It is stated that the members of the ‘National Commission for Minorities’ (NCM) were not invited. The only member of the NCM invited to the meeting was Mufti Gulzar Naeemi, who is also then only muslim member in the NCM.

It is further reported that the clerics and religious scholars reviewed the draft of the “Prohibition of Forced Conversion Act, 2021”. In doing so, they expressed serious reservations over it and objected to several clauses, including minimum age of conversion, i.e. 18 years under the Draft.

The Draft Bill

Moreover, it is further stated by Dawn news, that in light of the draft bill “…any non-Muslim, who is not a child, and is able and willing to convert to another religion will apply for a conversion certificate from an additional sessions judge of the area where he or she is residing.”

According to the draft, it is up to the additional sessions judge to ensure that the conversion is not under any duress and not due to deceit or fraudulent misrepresentation. In addition, the judge may award a time period of 90-days to the potential convert in order to undertake a comparative study of religions and return to the court. Finally, upon his satisfaction, the judge will award the “certificate of change of religion”.

Furthermore, the proposed law also prescribes fines and prison terms for those using force to convert a person to another religion, ranging from Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 200,000 and 5 to 10 years respectively.