The proposal with regard to 10 percent increase in the seats of minorities' members in Senate has been forwarded to the Election Commission. This was stated by Amar Lal, Advisor to Prime Minister on Minorities' Affairs on Tuesday while talking to APP.
It is the fact that 30 percent women seats have been allotted but still women particularly belonging to the minorities, were not given any representation, he said. He also underlined the need for holding direct election for the upper house of bicameral parliament.
He said that it was also proposed that an ordinance should be issued to amend the law for appointments in the Central government, adding such appointments should have the consent of the Senate to ensure provincial autonomy.
Minorities should also be given representation in district courts, high courts, provincial government's secretariats, Chief Minister Secretariat and Prime Minister Secretariat to further promote inter-faith harmony, he added. Meanwhile, Convenor World Minorities Alliance, J. Salik informed when contacted, that the minorities must be given representation in all the elected forums in line with Constitution.
J. Salik stressed upon the need to hold joint-electoral process according to the 1973's Constitution, saying "We have always been saying that elections on the reserved seats should be held according to the Constitution of Pakistan", he said.
In 2002, the number of general seats in the parliament was increased from 207 to 272 and the women seats from 15 to 60, but the minorities seats remained unchanged, he said. He stressed the need to identify and address the factors, responsible for depriving the minorities of constitutional right to elect their representative.
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