At the Legal Aid Society (LAS), we stand with religious minority communities (RMCs) to protect their rights, strengthen their legal knowledge, and promote inclusion. Through focused legal interventions, strategic litigation, and community-building, we work to shield RMCs from forced conversions, discrimination, and violence. Through our Freedom of Religious Belief Portfolio, we’re committed to creating a Pakistan where religious minorities can live their faith freely and seek justice without fear, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 10 and 16.
We focus on five key areas:
We shine a light on the prejudice faced by religious minorities in society, courts, and administration, using evidence-based research to drive change.
We work to enhance legal processes and build the capacity of justice actors to ensure religious minorities receive fair trials and equitable access to justice.
We raise awareness about the issue of forced conversions, especially through marriage, and advocate for stronger responses from the government, justice systems, and civil society to protect vulnerable women and girls.
We’re pushing for updates to personal laws for religious minorities to ensure they have the same legal protections as everyone else.
At the district level, we’re building mechanisms to promote tolerance social cohesion, and prevent violence against religious minority communities.
The Legal Aid Society has empowered RMCs through legal aid and awareness sessions, which equip them with the knowledge to identify and combat discrimination, forced conversions, and religious persecution, enabling them to better navigate the legal system and seek justice.
Impact: Over 24,000 individuals were empowered through legal aid and awareness sessions.
Sector professionals, including Nikah Registrars, to address unconscious biases and improve their competencies. These specialized programs enhance how cases involving RMCs are managed, leading to more effective outcomes.
Impact: Our training programs are now part of the Sindh Judicial Academy’s curriculum.
The Legal Aid Society (LAS) prioritizes primary data generation to fill critical gaps on RMC issues, ensuring interventions are evidence-based. Research efforts include legal needs assessments, studies on forced conversions, property rights, and unconscious biases in the justice system.
Impact: 7 comprehensive research reports published to date.
In partnership with the Government of Sindh, the Legal Aid Society (LAS) has played a pivotal role in establishing 10 District Peace Committees with both male and female RMC representation. These committees foster open dialogue and help prevent violence through capacity-building in communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution, promoting peace and tolerance at the community level.
Impact: Over 10 active District Peace Committees bringing communities together.
In the past three years, the Legal Aid Society (LAS) has resolved 504 cases for RMC individuals, providing legal advice, document preparation, and mediation services. By assisting individuals in accessing reserved quotas and legal entitlements, we ensure RMCs can claim their rights and protect themselves from discrimination.
Impact: 504 cases resolved, ensuring access to justice for RMCs.
The Legal Aid Society (LAS) uses strategic litigation to fight discriminatory practices and set legal precedents that protect RMCs, especially in personal law matters. We also advocate for critical reforms in marriage and inheritance laws, including draft legislation addressing forced marriages, child marriages, and inheritance rights for RMCs.
Impact: 10+ legal precedents in the pipeline, reshaping the legal landscape for RMCs.
