Minorities’ issues: Indifference or lack of activism?

Classification of minorities on national, ethnic or linguistic, cultural, religious bases discussed

HYDERABAD: Sensitising the rank and file of political parties with problems confronting the minority communities in Pakistan seldom draws the attention of the parties’ cadres. Speakers at a conference in Hyderabad on Friday underlined the perils of indifference with or a lack of activism towards resolving the troubles nagging religious minorities in particular.

The event, titled ‘Issues of Religious Minorities, Pakistan and Priorities of Political Parties’, was organised by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Human Rights Commission of Pakistan representative IA Rehman cited the United Nations declaration that classifies minorities in four categories: national, ethnic or linguistic, cultural and religious.

“In Pakistan, discrimination occurs with the minorities. It begins with the Constitution. If the state discriminates, the people will do the same. But if the state doesn’t, people won’t [either].” He pointed out that in addition to non-Muslims, sectarian minorities in the country also suffer from prejudices. This division after division will only end when religion is separated from the Constitution, he stressed.

The veteran activist and journalist elaborated that when discriminatory attitude becomes part of people’s character, religious or sectarian minorities do not become the only victims.

PTI MNA Lal Malhi said the 18th Amendment has gone a step ahead with discrimination against religious minorities. “Before the amendment, a non-Muslim couldn’t be elected president,” he said. “After it, even the prime minister can’t be a non-Muslim.”

Zulfiqar Halepoto, a rights activist and former deputy information secretary of PTI, discussed the importance of educating political workers about what malaise afflicts small religious groups.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 16^th, 2016.