LAHORE, Pakistan – July 17, 2026: Sardar Mushtaq Gill, founder of LEAD Ministries, has welcomed the European Commission Staff Working Document – Joint Report to the European Parliament and the Council (Brussels, 16 July 2026, SWD(2026) 184 final) for highlighting serious human rights concerns in Pakistan, including the misuse of blasphemy laws, forced and bonded labour, religious discrimination, hate speech, and violence against vulnerable communities.
Gill expressed appreciation to the European Union for continuing to monitor Pakistan’s human rights commitments and for raising concerns regarding violations affecting freedom of religion or belief, freedom of expression, and the protection of minority communities.
“The European Union deserves appreciation for highlighting important human rights concerns in Pakistan, particularly the misuse of blasphemy laws, the persistence of forced and bonded labour, discrimination against religious minorities, and the lack of accountability for those responsible for violence and intimidation,” Gill said.
While welcoming the findings of the report, Gill respectfully urged the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union to ensure that the suffering of Christians in Pakistan is highlighted clearly, directly, and specifically in future human rights assessments.
Gill said that although the report recognizes that Pakistan’s blasphemy laws disproportionately affect individuals belonging to minority religions and faith communities, the particular experiences of Christians require greater attention.
“Christians are among the main victims of the misuse of blasphemy laws in Pakistan,” Gill said. “When an individual Christian is accused, falsely implicated, or booked under these laws, the consequences often extend beyond that person and affect the entire Christian community.”
He explained that accusations against an individual Christian frequently create fear among surrounding Christian residents, forcing families to leave their homes to protect their lives and safety. The collective impact of such incidents demonstrates why international human rights reports should examine not only individual cases but also the wider consequences for Christian communities.
Gill said that Christian communities often face threats, intimidation, social pressure, displacement, and attacks on homes and churches following blasphemy allegations, even before judicial proceedings establish the facts of a case.
He referred to the recent incident in Karachi’s Baldia Town as an example of how allegations involving a single Christian can rapidly result in intimidation, threats, and harassment against the wider Christian community. He said that the timely intervention of law enforcement, including Rangers, helped prevent the situation from escalating further.
Gill stated that a large number of Christian residents were surrounded by an emotionally charged mob, creating fears that the community could have faced a situation similar to the violence experienced by the Christian community in Jaranwala in August 2023, where churches and Christian homes were attacked and damaged following blasphemy allegations.
He stressed that such incidents demonstrate the urgent need for stronger preventive measures, effective protection of vulnerable communities, and accountability for those who incite or participate in violence.
Concerns Over Blasphemy Laws and False Accusations
Gill welcomed the European Commission’s concerns regarding Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, which continue to have a negative impact on freedom of expression and disproportionately affect religious minorities.
The report notes that Pakistani authorities have referred to existing legal safeguards, judicial oversight, and provincial Standard Operating Procedures as mechanisms to prevent misuse of blasphemy laws. However, the report observes that these measures have proven ineffective in preventing continued reports of procedural delays, intimidation, and extrajudicial violence connected to blasphemy cases.
The report also highlights that there has been no prosecution of individuals responsible for false accusations of blasphemy. It further documents the misuse of these laws for personal gain, including the exposure of a so-called “blasphemy business group” that allegedly entrapped more than 800 people, mainly young men, through online scams. Hundreds of victims reportedly remained imprisoned despite allegations being questioned.
Gill said that the continued misuse of blasphemy laws creates a climate of fear among Christians and other vulnerable religious communities and requires stronger safeguards to protect innocent people from false accusations and mob violence.
Christians and Vulnerability to Forced and Bonded Labour
Gill also welcomed the report’s recognition that forced and bonded labour remain grave human rights concerns in Pakistan. However, he urged the European Union to more explicitly acknowledge that Christians are among the communities most vulnerable to debt bondage and labour exploitation because of their socio-economic marginalization, poverty, and religious identity.
He noted that many Christians continue to work in brick kilns, agriculture, sanitation services, domestic work, and other low-paid occupations where exploitation remains widespread.
“Economic vulnerability and social discrimination place many Christians at increased risk of exploitation,” Gill said. “Their suffering in situations of bonded and forced labour should receive greater attention in international human rights reporting.”
The European Commission’s report states that forced labour remains a serious problem in Pakistan despite legislation prohibiting the practice. It highlights that millions of people continue to face debt bondage, particularly in agricultural areas of Sindh and brick kilns in Punjab. The report also points to limited enforcement, inadequate data collection, and the need for stronger implementation of measures to eliminate bonded labour.
Gill urged international organizations to consider the connection between poverty, social exclusion, and religious identity when assessing the vulnerability of communities affected by labour exploitation.
Religious Intolerance and Protection of Christian Communities
Gill further called on international human rights organizations to clearly document the religious intolerance faced by Christians in Pakistan.
He said Christians are a peaceful community that respects other religions, including Islam, and does not promote hatred against other faiths. However, he expressed concern that Christian beliefs, the Holy Bible, and fundamental teachings of Christianity are frequently subjected to hostility, insults, and hate speech by extremist elements.
He urged authorities to ensure equal protection for all religious communities and to take effective action against hate speech, incitement, and violence.
“The suffering of Christians should not remain hidden under general references to minorities,” Gill said. “Their specific experiences of collective punishment, attacks on places of worship, discrimination, and economic exploitation require clear recognition.”
Appeal for Stronger International Attention
Gill acknowledged that the European Commission’s report also highlights discrimination and violence affecting other vulnerable communities, including Ahmadi Muslims and other minorities. He emphasized that all victims of religious persecution deserve equal protection, justice, and dignity.
Concluding his appeal, Gill urged the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union, the European Commission, the United Nations, and international human rights organizations to continue monitoring Pakistan’s human rights situation and to ensure that future reports explicitly address the challenges faced by Christians.
He said that direct recognition of Christian suffering would provide a more accurate understanding of Pakistan’s human rights situation and encourage stronger international efforts to protect freedom of religion or belief, prevent violence, and ensure accountability.
“Clear recognition of the suffering of Christians and other vulnerable communities is essential for promoting human dignity, justice, and equal protection for all citizens of Pakistan,” Gill said.
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