News Desk
Faisalabad, 14th October 2024:
The Minorities Alliance Pakistan (MAP) has voiced strong support for a series of constitutional amendments proposed by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). These amendments, aimed at promoting greater inclusivity and equality for all citizens, focus on ensuring equal representation and protection for Pakistan’s minority communities.
The amendments include significant changes to key constitutional articles to enhance the status and rights of minorities. Among the proposals are:
1. Article 36: The term “legitimate” in the clause ensuring the protection of minorities’ rights would be replaced with “fundamental,” reinforcing the commitment to safeguard basic rights.
2. Article 41(2): The qualification for the office of President, which currently requires the candidate to be a Muslim, is proposed to be amended by removing the religious requirement.
3. Article 51(4): The number of reserved seats for minorities in the National Assembly would be increased in accordance with the latest population census.
4. Article 51(6)(c): A revision of the constituency for non-Muslim reserved seats is proposed, suggesting that the whole country be treated as one constituency for these seats.
5. Article 6(e): The current system of proportional representation for non-Muslim reserved seats would be reformed to better align with democratic principles.
6. Article 90(3): The requirement that only Muslim members of the National Assembly can be elected Prime Minister would be removed.
7. Article 91(5) 3rd Schedule: The proposal includes eliminating the religious requirement for the Prime Minister’s oath-taking ceremony.
8. Article 59(c): In the Senate, it is proposed that an additional minority seat be created from the Federal Capital.
9. Article 106(3)(b)(c): An increase in the number of reserved seats for non-Muslims, along with a process of constituency delimitation, is suggested to improve representation and accountability.
The MAP has appealed to all political leaders to support these amendments, which aim to address long-standing inequalities faced by minorities in Pakistan. The proposed changes, according to MAP, would bring the Constitution more in line with the spirit of Article 25, which guarantees equal rights for all citizens.
The alliance expressed hope that these reforms would pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable Pakistan.