News Desk
Lahore:
The Pakistan Masiha Millat Party (PMMP) organized a protest in front of the Lahore Press Club on Saturday, criticizing the federal government’s decision to send Hindu and Sikh representatives to attend the coronation ceremony of Pope Leo, the 267th pontiff of the Catholic Church.
The protest, led by PMMP Chairman Aslam Pervaiz Sahotra, condemned the selection of Federal Minister Khel Das Kohistani and Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora to represent Pakistan at the Vatican ceremony. Protestors argued that the event, being a major religious occasion for Christians, warranted the participation of Christian representatives.
Addressing the gathering, Sahotra asserted that the government had sidelined Christians by appointing non-Christian representatives to a distinctly Christian religious event. He further alleged that seats traditionally allocated for Christians in legislative assemblies have increasingly been awarded to non-Christian minorities, particularly Hindus and Sikhs, under the current selection system.
Sahotra also criticized the system of selecting minority representatives through party nominations rather than direct elections, claiming it has marginalized Christians politically and limited their access to federal and provincial cabinets.
“The Christian community is the largest minority in Pakistan and has historically demonstrated its loyalty to the nation,” Sahotra said. “Yet, it continues to be underrepresented and excluded from decision-making processes.”
Other prominent PMMP figures present included Central President William Javaid, Vice Chairman Younas Kali, Information Secretary Dr. Azeem Sahotra, and Youth Wing leaders Romail Aslam Sahotra, Salman Sahotra, Chaudhry Imran Yaqoob Sahotra, and Pastor Abid.
The PMMP called on the Christian community to unite and advocate for the abolition of the selection method for minority representation. The party reiterated its demand for restoring direct elections for minority seats through secret ballot, in accordance with Pakistan’s Constitution.
The protest concluded peacefully, with calls for greater political inclusion and recognition of Christian contributions to the country.