ISLAMABAD – A number of speakers in a seminar representing different minorities in Pakistan unanimously demanded of the government to give them the right of dual vote, one in favour of the candidates contesting general elections and the other for the seats reserved for their respective communities.
Speakers also called for effective representation of non-Muslims in the Parliament and unity among the non-Muslims to promote Pakistan in the light of sayings of Quid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah where there should be no division of society in the name of faith or race.
They were addressing a seminar entitled “Electoral system with reference to non-Muslims of Pakistan” here on Wednesday at a local hotel organised by Ministry of National Harmony. Justice (R) Rana Bhagwandas, Chairman Federal Public Service Commission was the chief guest on the occasion while Dr Paul Bhatti, Minister In-charge for National Harmony; Mahesh Kumar Malani, Chairman Standing Committee of the National Assembly on National Harmony; Raja Tridiv Roy, Federal Minister and Ms Asiya Nasir; were among the prominent speakers besides others. Many members of the Parliament belonging to minorities participated in the seminar.
Justice (retd) Rana Bhagwandas delivering his speech suggested that the minorities might be allowed to exercise their right of franchise in favour of their candidates against general seats as well as the seats reserved for their respective communities.
“ In a separate electoral system, for convenience of candidates contesting against a minority seat, whole of Pakistan may be divided according to the number of seats reserved for one community and each part be declared as one constituency,” he added. Thirdly, he gave suggestion that as representation of non-Muslims in the whole population was 3.72 percent, therefore, number of seats reserved for minorities be enhanced, accordingly, which were presently 2.92 percent.
While addressing to the seminar Minister In-charge for National Harmony Dr. Paul Bhatti said there should not be any sort of quota system or separate seats in the Parliament on the basis of faith and creed. All Pakistanis should have equal rights and be elected as members of the assemblies and Senate by general public on the basis of one’s patriotism and services for the nation and homeland.
He said it was not possible in the given situation and they had to wage struggle against a mindset, which was bent upon weakening the non-Muslims, and crushing the one important segment of society demonstrated by flag of their country in white colour.
“Keeping in view the situation we have invited religious, political and social leaders of all non-Muslims living in Pakistan today to get together and build a census to decide a suitable electoral system as per their aspirations which can protect their rights”, he said.
Dr Paul invited all the non-Muslims to work hard for the welfare of the homeland where every one has equal citizenship rights for which his younger brother and former Federal Minister for Minorities Late Shahbaz Bhatti has laid down his life.
He said it was his strong desire to provide a platform to members of non-Muslim community after resuming charge of Chairmanship of All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA) and Ministry of National Harmony to share their views regarding the ideology of Shahbaz Bhatti on equal rights for them.
He said a balanced and united society was guarantee of a developed and welfare country and this was possible only when every citizen of Pakistan would enjoy equal rights and freedom of religion.
Dr Paul said non-Muslims had contributed significantly in the fields of education and health and played the role of their part for the welfare and development of the country on one hand while on the other hand they had been subjected to injustice, suppression, division in the name of faith and race and forced conversions.
He said the seats of non-Muslims had been increased in the National Assembly, Senate and all provincial assemblies by their efforts, which was a success of APMA and non-Muslims community. “There was an impression that the government does not take care of the rights of the non-Muslims as the seats of the majority parliamentarians have been increasing with growth of population while the seats of the non-Muslims were remained 10 till the recent increase of their seats”, he added.
He said they had succeeded to start getting equal rights for the non-Muslims, which would strengthen the democracy in the country as well after fulfilling the longstanding aspiration of non-Muslims. At the end, question answer session was also held.