Caretaker Federal Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Syed Afzal has stressed the need to protect the rights of minorities in Pakistan and criticised Eight Amendment that undermined their rights. He was addressing the inaugural session of the 44th annual meeting of the Church of Pakistan Lahore Diocesan Council here on Thursday.
The minister said the demands of made by the speakers, including allotment of land for Christian graveyards and schools, would be submitted before the President of Pakistan and Prime Minister and he would personally approach the Punjab government to meet their demands. "As for induction of Christian judges in the judiciary, the Bishop of Lahore should forward names of lawyers that fit merit of the job and the ministry would seriously looked in to it," he added. He also praised the Christian community for making a valuable contribution in the field of education and health.
Bishop of Lahore Dr Alexander John Malik also spoke, telling the minister that laws affecting the lives and property of minorities must be repealed, especially the Blasphemy Law. He called for graveyards to be made available to recognised Church Body and lands for schools, churches and other welfare projects be granted to the Church. "Special job quotas for minorities be reserved in police, traffic police Motor Way Police, army, civil services, judiciary and other government and semi government Institutions. Moreover, while allotting government agricultural lands to the landless, minorities be given their fair and equitable share," he added.