DESPITE a landmark Supreme Court judgment in 2014 mandating concrete protections for religious minorities, Pakistan continues to struggle with implementation, remaining caught between progressive legislation and prolonged inaction. More than a decade has passed since the Supreme Court of Pakistan delivered its historic verdict on June 19, 2014, in suo motu Case No. 1 of 2014. Authored by the then Chief Justice, Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, the judgment emerged in the aftermath of the devastating suicide bombing at Peshawar’s All Saints Church in 2013, which claimed 81 lives and left many injured. The apex court consolidated nine petitions highlighting systemic grievances of religious minorities and issued eight comprehensive directives aimed at safeguarding their constitutional rights.

These directives include formation of a task force to promote religious tolerance, revision of school curricula to foster harmony, strict action against hate speech—particularly online—with punitive measures, establishment of an independent minority protection body titled the National Council for Minorities’ Rights, deployment of dedicated police units for the security of places of worship, enforcement of a five percent employment quota for minorities, swift law enforcement responses to violations and continuous monitoring of progress through a dedicated judicial file. Rooted in Article 20, guaranteeing freedom of religion and Article 25, ensuring equality of citizens, the........

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