ISLAM, RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS, AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM OF PAKISTAN: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Keywords:
Islam, Religious Freedom, Freedom of Belief, Freedom of Conscience, Right to Religion.Abstract
This research paper critically analyzes how the justice system in Pakistan has protected religious freedoms in line with International Human Rights Instruments and the principles of Islam. The study aims to outline the legal framework of religious liberty in Pakistan through a qualitative review of existing literature, judicial decisions, constitutional provisions, relevant legislation, and Islamic perspectives. It also explores the interaction between religious freedom and the criminal justice system in Pakistan. The findings of this study reveal that though International Human Rights Instruments provides a basic international framework for religious freedom, yet Islam had already acknowledged and protected this right long before. The study concludes that the Constitution of Pakistan recognizes religious freedom as an independent human right, though it remains subject to the law. Furthermore, Pakistan's higher courts also support religious freedom in their rulings, but their calls for policy measures to prevent the misuse of religious penal provisions have yet to be implemented. The study also proposes future research on whether religious freedom is an inalienable right or remains subject to legal restrictions. This work offers critical insights into the ongoing discourse on religious freedom.
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