The women parliamentarians in Punjab have expressed deep concerns over the increasing trend of hatred against religious minorities and demanded that what at least have been promised in the manifestoes of political parties for their (minorities) welfare and protection should be implemented without delay.
They have demanded that what regard and place Islam holds for those minorities should also be ensured for them in a state which according to the Constitution is an Islamic state besides promoting the culture of commonalities in between different religions for a just and peaceful society instead of focusing differences. They expressed these views in a consultation meeting with members of Punjab Assembly which South Asia Partnership Pakistan (SAP-PK) organized under the banner of REAT Network here at a local hotel on Friday. These women members have also demanded to take steps for changing mindset in the society and bring something concrete on the ground that could lead to eliminate prejudice against religious minorities.
According to the details, in this consultation a study reflecting increasing trend of hatred was shared with the participant members and it told that just in 2013 the ratio of hate material in books has risen to almost 250 percent than the ratio it was in 2011. This study reflected that in 2011 there were about 82 words in total 19 chapters of different level school books but this level has risen to 333 lines in 2013 and the number of chapters containing these lines has gone to 119. Taking part in the discussion they collectively showed a concern that this was really an alarming situation and if immediate steps were not taken to control this hatred, the things will be more adverse and can further lead to chaos in society of Pakistan.
Member of the PA Marry Gill speaking at the occasion said since Pakistan is an Islamic State so what Islam guarantees to religious minorities should at least be ensured, besides introducing reforms in the education sector. Meanwhile, other MPAs including Nighat Sheikh, Nabeera Indleeb, Saira Iftikhar, Dr Najma Afzal, Tahseen Fawad, Salma Butt, Nasreen Nawaz, Farzana Butt and Ramesh Singh Arora also supported this demand besides emphasising that history should not be distorted and role of the heroes of religious minorities should be recognised besides changing a mindset from the level of home to entire society.
They also collectively emphasised what political parties have committed in their manifestoes regarding the welfare and protection of minorities should be implemented and that a minority protection policy should be brought on face and implemented with letter and spirit. It was also shared by Ms Marry Gill that the ruling part is interested for a minority protection policy and hopefully something good will be proved. It is equally important to share that participants of this consultation also supported the demand of religious minorities that minority students, through some defined criteria, have a benefit while seeking admissions in medical colleges or for other degrees or levels. Members on reserved seats for minorities also demanded that Ulema should also play their role in creating equality in society and sensitise public to respect each other without any discrimination on any basis.
Meanwhile, Hameed Gondal SAP-PK's National Program Co-ordinator spoke on how the manifestoes of Political parties promise about the welfare and protection of religious minorities besides highlighting that how the rights of those minorities are protected under the constitution of Pakistan and international covenants. He also emphasised over the need to promote the culture of equal citizenship of Pakistan and that the state institutions should also play their role to make Pakistan a safe place for each of its citizen.
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