Daily Times

LAHORE: Opposition has tabled a bill in the Punjab Assembly demanding the incumbent government to establish a commission for protection of minorities’ rights in the province.

PTI legislator Shehzad Munshi, who was selected on reserved seat, had submitted the bill in the notice branch of Punjab Assembly Secretariat.

The bill advocates appointment of a chairperson – from any of the minority community having at least 15 year of work experience about the minorities’ rights – for the proposed commission.

It suggests that the commission should comprise 11 government-nominated members and six people from minorities having demonstrable knowledge of or seven years’ practical experience in matters of rights of minorities in particular and human rights in general. The bill has also proposed 33 percent representation of women members, a representative each from youth and lawyer community, and two activists from the civil society.

As per the proposal, the commission would also review all laws, rules and regulations affecting the status and rights of minorities and would suggest repeal, amendment or new legislation essential to eliminate discrimination, safeguarding and promoting the interest and welfare of minorities, and achieving equality before law in accordance with the constitution and obligations under international covenants and commitments.

In this connection, Shehzad Munshi presided over a seminar on Thursday organised by the Rawadari Tehreek at the Lahore Press Club where he highlighted different aspects and importance of the bill, especially for the minorities living in Punjab.

Some other legislators of PTI including Shunila Ruth and Sadia Sohail Rana as well as the movement’s chairman Samson Salamat, Tariq Siraj of Muttahida Masihi Party, Pastor Emmanuel Khokhar, Francis Gulzar, Rizwan Gill and Canadian resident Pervaiz Masih of the United Christian Federation were also present.

The speakers were of the opinion that Punjab Assembly was bound to constitute a minorities’ rights commission as per directions of the Supreme Court verdict.

They said that the Sindh Assembly had already adopted the similar bill and the Punjab government should also adopt the bill without delay if it was sincere to protection minorities’ rights in the province.

Addressing the gathering, Shehzad Munshi humbly requested all legislators despite their party affiliation either to treasury or the opposition benches to support the bill in the next assembly session.

Highlighting some of the details of the bill, the mover said that the preamble of the draft bill was aimed at establishing a commission to provide a platform to resolve grievances of minorities, and to monitor mechanism for accelerating pace of socio-economic development of minorities.

About functions of the proposed minorities’ commission, he said that it would include examining policy, programme and other efforts of the governments for providing minorities protection, equality, empowerment, political participation and education.

Speaking on this occasion, MPA Shunila Ruth and Sadia Sohail Rana not only assured the speaker of their support, but also vowed to initiate lobbying to gather support for the bill.

Other speakers also supported the bill, saying the establishment of the minorities’ commission would reiterate values of religious respect, harmony, tolerance and peace.