Minorities played a pivotal role in the development of Pakistan : Khalil Tahir Sandhu

Provincial Minister for Minorities and Human Rights Khalil Tahir Sandhu has said that minorities have played a pivotal role in the creation and development of Pakistan. Punjab government will adopt coordinated strategy with consultation of all the concerned stake holder regarding increase in the seats of minorities in the provincial assembly as well as welfare and solution n of their problems through Minorities Rights Commission Punjab Bill.

He stated this in an advocacy seminar organized by National Minority Rights Network (NMRN) regarding the electoral reforms and Minorities Rights Commission Punjab Bill here today. American Consulate for human rights Robert Crimson, members parliament from opposition and government Shehzad Munshi, Kanji Ram, Dr. Farzana, Saadia Sohail Rana, Joice Rophen Juiceless, father frances Gulzar, pastor Shahid Meraj, religious leaders and representatives from different NGOs and civil society participated in the seminar.

Khalil Tahir Sandhu said that it has become pertinent to increase the special seats of minorities in the provincial assembly in accordance with the exact and authentic facts and figures regarding minority population so that they could be provided better facilities and legislation regarding protection of their rights could be made so as to create positive image of the country in the comity of nations.

MPAs Shehzad Munshi, Saadia Sohail Rana and religious leaders from minorities stressed upon the need to increase special seats of minorities through electoral reforms as population has increased in last few decades which need to increase the opportunities and facilities for the vulnerable segments of the minorities ratio.

The convener NMRN Sajid Christopher said that the number of seats for parliamentarians were increased in Musharraf tenure last time for national and provincial assembly however no such increase has been made for the minorities parliamentarians since 1985. He said that due to less representation of minorities in both provincial and national assembly the measures taken for the redressal  of grievances of the minorities and their welfare are insufficient.

MPA Shehzad Munshi who has presented the bill for Minorities Rights Commission in Punjab Assembly said that all members of the assembly though Muslims, Christian or from any other religion are agreed to approve this important bill so as to make possible to provide equal rights to minorities and enhance the opportunities of progress and prosperity for minorities in the province.

He said that there were 33 members of parliament from Muslims community in the committee to consider different proposals for electoral reforms in the national level committee however, no representation from the minorities has been included in this important committee. He stressed upon the need to pass the Minorities Rights Commission Punjab Bill as it has already been passed in Sindh and KPK.

Minister Minorities Khalil Tahir Sandhu highlighted the efforts of Punjab government to promote the rights of minorities such as implementation of 5 percent quota of jobs in all the government departments in the province.