A Pakistani, Peter Jacob, has won the International Reli­gious Freedom Award on the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the International Religious Freedom Act. The awards given by the United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, were a proud moment for Pakistan as Peter Jacob earned the reward for his 35 years of dedication to re­ligious freedom and human rights in Pakistan. He has advo­cated for the rights of religious minorities and has been very significant in bringing up the misuse and weaponisation of the blasphemy laws against minorities in the country. Religious tolerance and freedom are the very essence of Pakistani society. It is, then, peo­ple like Peter Jacob who have kept this ideal alive in their vi­sion and imagination.

Source: The Nation January 23, 2024 11:38 UTC