ABSTRACT
The concept of international protection of minority rights is one of the most striking developments of international law. The issue of securing rights for minorities has become particularly complex in Asia. The Pakistan movement emphasized Muslim nationhood as a unifying factor, while cultural and ethnic divergences were ignored. The position of minorities in Pakistan has remained subservient to any Muslim citizen ever since independence. The present Parliament introduced an amendment to the Constitution which gave wide powers to the Shariat (Islamic) courts to interpret Muslim Personal Laws, any law relating to the procedure of any court or tribunal. In 1979 the Council of Islamic Ideology recommended a change in the criminal system of the country. Non-Muslims in Pakistan are also excluded from participating in national politics by way of a separate electorate system. The Ahmediya community needs to be particularly mentioned when considering the position of minorities in Pakistan.
