News Desk
Lahore, June 1, 2024:
Federal Minister for Law, Justice, and Human Rights, Senator Azam Nazir Tarar, has called for the inclusion of judges from minority communities in Pakistan’s higher judiciary. Speaking at the Justice A.R. Cornelius Conference, organized by the Bright Future Society and Implementation Minority Rights Forum Pakistan, Tarar emphasized the importance of religious freedom and minority rights in the country.
Highlighting the constitutional guarantees of religious freedom in Pakistan, Tarar noted that these principles align with Islamic teachings regarding the rights of minorities. He acknowledged a decline in religious tolerance following the Afghan war but reaffirmed Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s vision of a united and tolerant society.
Tarar discussed ongoing efforts to establish a Minority Rights Commission and proposed the reservation of quotas for minority law officers and legal advisors. He praised retired Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani for his landmark decisions benefiting minorities and lauded the legacy of Justice A.R. Cornelius for his commitment to equal justice.
Supreme Court Justice Mansoor Ali Shah supported Tarar’s views, underscoring the Constitution’s protection of minority rights and advocating for the appointment of minority judges to higher judiciary positions.
Most Rev Dr. Azad Marshall, Moderator of the Church of Pakistan and Bishop of Lahore, emphasized that Pakistan’s Constitution protects the rights of religious minorities, allowing them to practice their faith freely. However, he noted that marginalized communities often do not receive these fundamental rights due to various challenges, including delays in justice. Dr. Marshall also stated that timely justice could foster religious tolerance and harmony in society. He condemned incidents such as those in Jaranwala and Sargodha, urging authorities to take serious measures to end religious intolerance and violence
Senior judges and legal experts at the conference paid tribute to Justice Cornelius, discussing constitutional protections for minorities and Justice Cornelius’ impactful career. The 2014 Supreme Court guidelines under Justice Jillani aimed at safeguarding minority rights were also highlighted.
The conference concluded with the distribution of certificates to distinguished guests, attended by prominent figures including Supreme Court Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Federal Shariat Court Justice Dr. Syed Muhammad Anwar, Lahore High Court Justice Ali Baqar Najafi and former Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani.