Paul Bhatti calls for UK inquiry into persecution of religious minorities

Paul Bhatti, a former Pakistani Minister of National Harmony and Minority Affairs, has urged the British Parliament to launch a formal inquiry into the treatment of religious minorities globally. Speaking at the launch of a report by the charity Aid to the Church in Need, Bhatti stated that religious minorities in Pakistan remain trapped in a climate of fear, often too intimidated to advocate for their rights due to the influence of extremist groups.

Bhatti highlighted that since the 2011 assassination of his brother, Shahbaz Bhatti—who served as Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Minority Affairs—many advocates have ceased their work to avoid becoming targets. He noted that minorities continue to face systemic challenges, including the misuse of blasphemy laws, forced conversions, and abductions. During the event, Dr. John Newton, editor of the report, emphasized that religious persecution is often exacerbated by complex social factors, arguing that a lack of religious literacy in the West frequently leads to the downplaying of anti-Christian sentiment. Bhatti proposed that the inquiry be led by the Foreign Affairs Select Committee or the Joint Committee on Human Rights.