Peshawar: (By PCP) Mr. Khalid Shahzad a Human Rights activist and founder DCSC writes that the situation you describe highlights ongoing concerns about the treatment of religious minorities in Pakistan, particularly regarding educational institutions. Here's a structured analysis of the issue:1. Edwards College Peshawar Incident- Background**: Edwards College, established in 1900 by Christian missionaries, has historically been managed by a board that included church representatives. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government recently declared the existing board "illegal" and took administrative control, citing alleged violations of the *KP Universities Act 2012*. Minority leaders, however, argue this is a pretext to erase Christian influence and historical ties to the institution. - **Minority Perspectives**: Christian communities view this as a continuation of systemic marginalization, alleging that the government has disregarded their legal rights and failed to consult them. Similar disputes have occurred at other institutions, such as Gordon College in Karachi. - **Government Stance**: Authorities claim the takeover aims to "standardize education" and resolve internal mismanagement. Critics argue such actions often lack transparency and disproportionately target minority-run institutions. 2. Historical Context: Bhutto’s Nationalization Policy- In the 1970s, Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto nationalized educational and healthcare institutions, including those run by Christian and Hindu communities. While framed as a socialist reform to promote equity, this policy stripped minorities of control over their historic institutions, many of which were never returned despite later denationalization efforts. 3.Constitutional and Legal Framework - Pakistan’s Constitution guarantees minorities the right to practice their religion and manage educational institutions (Articles 20, 22, and 36). However, implementation is inconsistent. Laws like the *National Education Policy* and vague accusations of "anti-state activities" are sometimes used to justify takeovers.4. Broader Pattern of Discrimination- Human rights organizations (e.g., Human Rights Watch, USCIRF) document systemic issues: - Forced Conversions : Christian and Hindu girls often face abductions and coerced conversions. - Hate Speech and Violence : Discriminatory rhetoric from extremist groups and limited state protection. - Economic Marginalization : Minorities are frequently relegated to low-income jobs (e.g., sanitation work). 5. International Response - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has repeatedly recommended designating Pakistan as a "Country of Particular Concern" due to persecution of minorities. The European Parliament has also raised alarms about forced conversions and institutional discrimination.6. Pathways Forward - Dialogue : Minority representatives advocate for inclusive negotiations to restore trust. - Legal Reforms : Clearer safeguards for minority-administered institutions and stricter enforcement of anti-discrimination laws. - Awareness : Amplifying minority voices in media and policy discussions to counter prejudice. Conclusion While Pakistan’s legal framework nominally protects minorities, historical precedents and recent incidents like Edwards College underscore a gap between policy and practice. Addressing these challenges requires sustained commitment to equity, transparency, and meaningful inclusion of minority communities in decision-making processes.