E/CN.4/1996/95/Add.1 page 8 (e) Conversion, proselytism 31. According to the Pakistani authorities, conversion and proselytism are not prosecuted. Other sources of information, however, have indicated that the subordinate judiciary tends to hold that conversion from Islam to another faith is an offence. 32. The Special Rapporteur was also informed that, under the Dissolution of Marriage Act, conversion is not a ground for annulment of marriage, but if a non-Muslim woman married to a non-Muslim embraces Islam, her marriage is deemed to be annulled. II. IMPLEMENTATION OF LEGISLATION AND POLICY IN THE FIELD OF TOLERANCE AND NON-DISCRIMINATION BASED ON RELIGION OR BELIEF A. Summary of information 33. According to the Pakistani authorities, the State’s safeguard the rights, liberties and welfare of minorities respect, full protection, equal treatment and development of an Islamic State where a majority of the population is policy is to on the basis of within the framework Muslim. 34. Besides a federal department responsible for minorities, whose terms of reference include safeguarding the rights and welfare of minorities, the Government has recently set up a National Commission for Minorities chaired by the Minister for Minorities Affairs and consisting of representatives of the minorities. The Commission’s tasks include examining all legislation, regulations and practices said to be discriminatory against minorities, recommending to the Government measures aimed at ensuring greater participation by minorities in national affairs, considering complaints by members of minorities with a view to making recommendations to the Government, and safeguarding places of worship and other religious sites belonging to minorities. 35. A Federal Advisory Council for Minorities Affairs, made up of representatives of the minorities, is also responsible for making recommendations to the Government regarding minorities. 36. District Minorities Committees have also been set up with members of the minorities in each district under the responsibility of Deputy Commissioners/Additional Deputy Commissioners. The task of these committees is to find solutions to the daily local problems of minorities. 37. The authorities have also mentioned measures taken to ensure the welfare of minorities in the field of religion and in other respects (see sect. I.B above, under Special Rapporteur’s concerns). Special attention was given to the Government’s policy towards the Ahmadis in particular and all Pakistani citizens in general, with special emphasis on the blasphemy law.