'The government is committed to ensure the protection of Kalash community,' the Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs, Shahbaz Bhatti said. He was talking to a delegation of Kalash community headed by Prince Javed, Member of Provincial Assembly and Chistair Khan, who called on him on Tuesday.
Bhatti said that the government is taking all the minorities on board in decision-making and is committed to resolve their problems on priority. The Minister assured the delegation that the government would protect worship places of Kalash community and encourage the promotion of their culture.
'The government would reconstruct and expand their worship places so that the community would enjoy their rights properly, the Minister added.
He further said the government would conduct population census in all the three valleys including Bambriat, Rumbur, Brir of the Kalash community with an aim to preserve them.
The government would draft a Kalash Religion Protection Bill with the co-ordination of local community to protect them,' the Minister added.
Chistair Khan briefed the Minister about the issues confronting the Kalash community like health, education, upgradation of schools, lack of hospital and land for graveyard. The Kalash delegation was comprised of Prince Javed, Chistair Khan, Zahid Khan, Nira Gul, Zar Singa, Chist Babi and Gul Suma.-PR