The PPP continues to consolidate its reputation as the party truly committed to empowering Pakistan’s minorities. For the Sindh government has made history by appointing the first-ever Christian Advocate General, Salman Talibuddin. This is good news all round. Especially for a community that is all too disgracefully reduced to derogatory caricatures; depicting them as never progressing beyond the role of sweepers. This is something that the Lahore Management and Waste Company (LMWC) — falling under the jurisdiction of the City District Government Lahore (CDGL), no less — has been party to. As it continues to launch public advertising campaigns requesting the citizenry not to drop rubbish on the streets over Christmas. Or Easter. Or on the occasion of the Mariambad festival. Thus the significance of Mr Talibuddin’s new post cannot be overestimated. The PPP has, so far, lived up to its manifesto pledges of supporting minorities while strengthening their visibility in the mainstream. Such as the swearing-in to the Sindh Assembly of Tanzeela Qambrani; belonging to the Sheedi ethnic group that originally hails from Africa. A shame, then, that the PTI did not have the backbone to ultimately support its own appointment of the brilliant economist Dr Atif Mian to the Economic Advisory Council (EAC). For this gross misstep has dangerously re-ignited resentment against the Ahmadi community for daring to reject the minority non-Muslim label. Sadly, this legitimate exercise in self-determination has rendered the latter the most persecuted group in the country for the last four decades. Thus while all of Pakistan is (hopefully) celebrating alongside the country’s Christians, it is to be remembered that there is much hard work still to be done when it comes to levelling the playing field for all minorities. The fact that it has taken some 70 years for a Christian to secure the post of Advocate-General should tell everyone everywhere the enormity of this challenge. This is not to take anything away from Mr Talibuddin. But it is to simply remind progressive Pakistanis that this is not the time to be resting on your laurels. This, after all, is just the beginning. * Published in Daily Times, September 16th 2018.