From May 6–15, 2025, members of the International Partnership on Religion and Sustainable Development (PaRD) and its Workstream on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) supported a capacity-building initiative in Pakistan aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence and strengthening the voice of religious minorities. Led by the Evangelical Alliance of Pakistan (EAP) and supported by the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), the initiative engaged over 150 participants, including religious leaders, legal experts, and government officials.
Key Outcomes
- Interfaith Dialogue: The exchange, rooted in shared spiritual values, encouraged respect and deeper understanding at the grassroots level. A forum in Abbottabad brought together leaders from seven religious communities (Muslim, Baháʼí, Buddhist, Sikh, Hindu, Anglican, and Evangelical).
- Faith-Based Advocacy Training: A workshop in Rawalpindi trained 75 Evangelical leaders on faith-rooted, solution-oriented advocacy, emphasizing relationship-building, patience, and constructive dialogue over complaint-driven approachs.
- Government and Religious Engagement: The Minister of State for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony endorsed the creation of 20 inclusive Peace Committees, which will act as early responders when an insurgency or unrest is forming. The Minister pledged his ministry’s participation in each committee.
- Building a Unified Voice: Multiple Evangelical denominations agreed to join the EAP, creating momentum for a more representative and influential voice. Unity was recognized as a critical factor in gaining attention from government and majority religious leaders. As one of the largest religious minorities of Pakistan, they will play a pivotal role in establishing the 20 multi-religious Peace Committees.
- Legal Aid for the Persecuted: Visits to the Centre for Legal Aid Assistance & Settlement (CLAAS), who are dedicated to defending persecuted religious minorities in Pakistan, particularly Christians, highlighted the urgent need for accessible legal support for marginalized groups, especially those facing violence and intimidation.
A New Phase for Faith-Based Peacebuilding in Pakistan
The comprehensive intervention from national religious leaders, political figures, and civil society stakeholders marks an important breakthrough for the EAP and the international partners. With plans for multi-year engagement, regular training, and international peace conferences, the groundwork has been laid for a sustained, locally-driven movement for religious freedom and peaceful coexistence in Pakistan.
Gaetan Roy, the Permanent Representative of the World Evangelical Alliance to the United Nations in Geneva, highlighted: “The capacity building efforts exceeded expectations, with strong government engagement marking a significant milestone.”
Looking Ahead
The Pakistan model may offer valuable insights for replication in other contexts, where religious minorities are facing multifaceted challenges. Central to its success is the combination of faith-based legitimacy, grassroots relationships, and a solution-oriented framework – creating a scalable and hopeful path forward in the struggle for religious freedom, social cohesion and human dignity.
Read the report here.
