ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: A delegation of representatives of the minorities community held a meeting with the Federal Minister for Law and Justice Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar in Islamabad on Tuesday.
The delegation included President of Minority Wing Rawalpindi Division Kamran Bhatti, President of Rawalpindi District Shahzad Bashir, General Secretary Farooq Nazir, Senior Vice President Shahbaz Mir Randhawa, and Vice President of Metropolitan Corporation Samson Iqbal.
Likewise, Jayaa Jaggi from Civil Society and Coordinator of the Centre for Social Justice’s (CSJ) Minority Leadership Development Program Samuel Bashir were also present in the meeting.
President Rawalpindi Division Kamran Bhatti introduced members of his delegation to the law minister.
The delegation reminded the law minister of the promises which his party – Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) – made in its election manifesto.
They also exchanged views on the National Commission for Minorities Bill, 2023 and highlighted the flaws in the previous bill.
The delegation also put forward demands with regard to the National Commission for Minorities Bill such as the said body should be named as the National Commission for Minorities Rights; the Commission should be linked to the Ministry of Human Rights; and non-representation of the Evacuee Trust Property Board in the Commission.
They delegation also demanded that the Chairperson of the Commission should be a minority member with an extensive experience in the field of human rights; 33 percent representation of women in the Commission; and Ahmadi Community should have a separate representation.
The law minister said that the government is committed to taking steps to protect the rights of all minority communities.
Senator Azam Tarar assured that their recommendations will be incorporated in the proposed bill. He said that the bill will be tabled in the Parliament in July after the passage of the Federal Budget 2024-25.
Federal Minister for Law and Justice, Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar met with a delegation of representatives of the minorities community, including the Christian, Hindu and Sikh communities, along with other notable personalities.
The law minister assured speedy efforts and… pic.twitter.com/qmqcd0X79I
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) May 21, 2024
