News Desk
11 January 2024, Lahore
In a concerted effort to address the challenges faced by minority communities in Pakistan, the Center for Social Justice (CSJ) and Minority Forum Pakistan jointly organized a public assembly titled “Effective Participation of Minorities in Elections” in Lahore. The seminar brought together representatives from various political parties who not only presented their positions on minority rights but also committed to taking tangible steps to address the outstanding issues.
Key figures such as Peter Jacob (Executive Director, CSJ), Zia Uddin Ansari (Ameer Jamaat Islami), Tariq Javed Tariq (PML-N), Imran Athwal, and Habqooq Gill (PTI) addressed the gathering. Yasar Talib moderated the discussion, while Tayyaba Rafiq and Nasir William presented findings from an assessment report on political parties’ manifestos and introduced the “Main Bhi Pakistan Hun – I am Pakistan” campaign launched in connection with the upcoming general elections in 2024.
Peter Jacob, the Executive Director of CSJ, emphasized the importance of a soft revolution through reforms to strengthen accountability, institutions, and democracy simultaneously. He highlighted that public representatives require public opinion and support to address human rights challenges effectively.
Habqooq Gill (PTI) expressed a dedicated commitment to resolving challenges faced by minority communities. He pledged active involvement in the provincial assembly, even if serving in the opposition, to ensure the practical implementation of legislative initiatives.
Tariq Javed Tariq (PML-N) underscored the significance of elevating the voices of minorities within the party and advocated for addressing their concerns through majority representatives in parliamentary forums.
Zia Uddin Ansari (JI) stated that his party has a clear stance on providing minority rights in its manifesto, emphasizing the need to translate these declarations into practical actions.
Tayyaba Rafiq presented five-point demands regarding minorities’ rights, which included strengthening laws to end child marriage, criminalizing forced religious conversion, implementing the Jillani Judgment, removing religious content from curricula, establishing a statutory minorities rights commission, and including Quaid-e-Azam’s address of August 11, 1947, in curricula and the Constitution.
Nasir William presented findings from a manifest assessment report, indicating that political parties have failed to take effective actions to fulfill their pledges regarding minorities’ rights in previous elections.
The “Main Bhi Pakistan Hun” campaign, aimed at raising public awareness and reminding political parties of their promises, involved hanging 650 banners in streets, organizing fifty community-level corner meetings, thirty advocacy meetings with election contestants, and ten lobby meetings with political leaders. Additionally, two Awami Assemblies and five district-level seminars were held, where politicians from various parties pledged to incorporate proposed demands into their manifestos.
The seminar served as a platform for dialogue and commitment, fostering a renewed focus on minority rights as Pakistan prepares for the upcoming elections.