Sahiwal, Pakistan: A powerful seminar held at the Arts Council Sahiwal, hosted by the Sahiwal Minority Forum Pakistan, brought together prominent political and social leaders to discuss the urgent need for protecting minority rights and enforcing constitutional promises. Attendees stressed that the government must honor commitments to minorities, both within the constitution and party manifestos, to foster a more inclusive society.
Key voices in the seminar included Ashiknaz Khokhar, Yasir Talib, Jalil Butt, Ali Waris, Najma Waseem, Dr. Irfan Bhatti, Pastor Naveed Kashif, Reverend Naeem, Dr. Maqsood, and Aneel Younas, among others. They spoke passionately about the alarming increase in incidents affecting minorities and demanded accountability, insisting that without real enforcement, these tragedies will only escalate. “It’s time to hold those responsible accountable,” one speaker emphasized, “to prevent further harm and ensure true protection for minority communities.”
A major point of discussion was the violation of Article 22-A of Pakistan’s Constitution. The participants argued that education must not create a sense of superiority for any single religious group, as it disrupts the social balance and contributes to deep-seated divisions. They also pointed to the overall gap between laws on paper and their real-world application, which remains a persistent obstacle to justice.
Speakers also called out the government for failing to fulfill promises in their party manifestos regarding minority welfare. They highlighted the need for stronger laws against forced conversions and early marriages and demanded concrete actions to protect the lives and property of minorities. “There is a clear gap between promises and reality,” one participant noted, “and this lack of action is deeply felt in our communities.”
The forum closed with a pledge from the participants to stay closely connected with local leaders and ensure minority representation in district-level decision-making. “We will not be silent,” they said collectively, “We will continue to advocate and ensure that minorities have a seat at the table for all district issues.”
With the seminar’s powerful message ringing through the district, Sahiwal’s minority communities are calling on government leaders to turn their promises into action and secure a future where all citizens can thrive equally.
