ICC Note:
Pakistan’s Punjab province has claimed that it will be adopting a bill that will enhance the rights of religious minorities by giving them more seats in the Punjab Assembly, the province’s legislative body. Punjab’s Minister for Human Rights and Minority Affairs also said that minorities, including Christians, have played a pivotal role in the creation and development of Pakistan. This bill and statement are a sign of positive progress for Christians, who are one of Pakistan’s largest religious minorities and face widespread persecution and discrimination. Will this bill mark the beginning of positive change for Pakistan’s Christian community?
06/22/2017 Pakistan (Pakistan Today) – Punjab Minister for Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Khalil Tahir Sandhu has said that minorities have played a pivotal role in the creation and development of Pakistan.
He said that the Punjab government will adopt coordinated strategies in consultation with all stakeholders concerned in increasing seats for minorities in the Punjab Assembly as well as welfare and solution of their problems through Minorities Rights Commission Punjab Bill.
In a meeting with MPA Shehzad Munshi and MPA Kanji Ram, he 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.
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