News Desk
FAISALABAD, August 11, 2026:
Minorities Alliance Pakistan (MAP) called for the incorporation of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s August 11, 1947, address into the Preamble of Pakistan’s Constitution and urged the government to take concrete measures to ensure equal rights and citizenship for religious minorities.
Speaking at a rally held in Faisalabad to mark National Minorities Day, MAP Chairman and Advocate Akmal Bhatti said Jinnah’s historic address should serve as a guiding principle for the country. He also called for measures to eliminate extremism, sectarianism and terrorism.
Bhatti said MAP would continue its constitutional and democratic struggle for equal rights, citizenship and opportunities for religious minorities. He linked Pakistan’s progress to good governance, the eradication of corruption and the provision of affordable and speedy justice to citizens.
On National Minorities Day, Bhatti paid tribute to members of minority communities who contributed to the Pakistan Movement and the country’s development. Among those he named were Federal Minister Shahbaz Bhatti, Bishop John Joseph, Justice A.R. Cornelius, Justice Bhagwandas, Justice Dorab Patel, M.L. Shahani, Dr Ruth Pfau, Dewan Bahadur S.P. Singha, Chandu Lal, C.E. Gibbon and Cecil Chaudhry.
He said members of minority communities continue to serve the country, including young men and women who have died while defending Pakistan’s borders. According to Bhatti, despite discrimination and other challenges, minority communities continue to demonstrate loyalty to the country.
Bhatti criticised successive governments for failing to resolve what he described as longstanding problems faced by religious minorities. He expressed hope that future leadership would address these concerns through effective policy and legislation.
He also supported the creation of new provinces, provided any such restructuring remained within the constitutional framework and ensured equitable political representation for minorities and other marginalised communities.
The MAP chairman called for legislation completely prohibiting forced religious conversion of minor girls. He said children and minority communities should not be exposed to threats to their lives, property or religious beliefs in the name of religion.
Bhatti also criticised the existing system for allocating reserved seats for women and minorities, arguing that it limits the ability of a significant section of the population to directly elect its representatives. He called for amendments to Article 51 of the Constitution to increase the number of parliamentary seats, ensure fair delimitation of constituencies and introduce a dual-vote system for effective minority representation.
He further urged the government to fully implement the National Action Plan across the country to address terrorism, religious hatred and violent extremism.
The MAP chairman also called for safeguards against the misuse of sensitive religious laws and demanded justice for individuals who, he said, had remained imprisoned for years awaiting trial. He urged authorities to take strict action against those involved in violent mob attacks and vigilante violence.
Among other demands, Bhatti called for a five percent education quota for minority students across Pakistan and the repeal of constitutional provisions that discriminate against citizens on the basis of religion.
The rally was also addressed by Shamoon Gul, Anosh Bhatti, Sadaf Adnan, Sarfraz Gul, Father Khalid Rashid, Father Zafar, Pastor Samson, Pastor Nisar and Pastor Khurshid Bashir, along with other religious, political and social leaders.
The speakers reiterated their calls for equality, justice, religious freedom and the protection of constitutional rights for all Pakistani citizens.