PUCM seeks improved role for non-Muslims

MIRPUR (AJK)-The Pakistan United Christian Movement urged the government to take immediate and serious steps to build confidence and trust among the non-Muslim citizens of Pakistan to bring them into mainstream of the national politics.Talking to newsmen, Movement President Albert David expressed concern over the recent in-house statement allegedly given by Chief Minister Pervez Khattak regarding minorities. “These were highly insensitive, discriminatory and biased remarks delivered by Khattak on the floor of the KPK Assembly,” said the Christian community leader.Albert asserted that the non-Muslim Pakistanis feel alienated because of the current electoral system which what he said was based on selection and not election. “There is a huge question mark if the non-Muslims parliamentarians are the real representatives of estimated 3.6% of total population,” he observed. He added, “This again is a growing concern among Pakistani Christians who claim to be the biggest minority but being squeezed into a minority among minorities according to the recent voter stats declared by ECP.”He contended that it was because of this system that the non-Muslim representatives in KPK assembly have raised voice against this “shameful” comment. “A positive step would be that leadership of political parties be very mindful and cautious before giving ant statement that hurts the feelings of non-Muslim Pakistanis,” he suggested.“Cleaners/sweepers will only be from minority community and Muslims are not eligible to clean streets and roads,” Albert David quoted Pervez Khattak as saying in the statement on floor of the house. “We demand a public apology and resignation from Mr Pervez,” he said.

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