KARACHI: Dismissing the notion that the minorities were feeling lack of protection in the country, Sindh Minister for Excise and taxation Mukesh Kumar Chawla stated on Thursday that minorities in Pakistan enjoy full protection.
Speaking to various delegations at his office in Karachi, he hailed the observance of Minorities’ Day on August 11 at government level.
Chawla said that the allocation of a 5% quota for the minorities in government jobs was an achievement on the part of the current government. He pointed out that the minorities were playing their part in the development process of the country.
He said that seats for the minorities in the Senate were enhanced, a step which would foster the sense of protection among the minorities.
The minister called for holding seminars and dialogue for promoting the spirit of interfaith harmony.
Chawla said that the Pakistan Peoples Party-led government was protecting the rights of the minorities in accordance with the Constitution as well as the manifesto of the PPP.
COMMENTS (72)
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Is he a minister of minorities or majority? I hope people of his own community will not vote for this ignorant person in any future elections. When will he start speaking truth? The whole world knows under which pressure minorities are leading their lives.
it,s strange at how far a person can be disconnected from reality.......
@Feroz: Just want to point out that it's estimated that roughly 13-15% of the 20% minority population at independence lived in East Pakistan which is much of the reason that it's so low now.
Nevertheless I agree that the situation for minorities is especially dire and all Pakistanis must act to ensure the protection of our Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Ahmadi, etc. brothers and sisters. Of course even the majority is not a whole lot better off as far as government and police protection goes in many parts of Pakistan unfortunately.
This PPP Minister is just being (mis)used as a Hindu facade for misleading the world polity.
This is the country with the "Blasphemy Law". Where minorities are persecuted left and right. They have no say. They cannot hold their head high and say"Proud to be a Christian or Hindu". A country where the population of non-Muslims in Karachi in 1947 was 25% and is now 2.5%. It is indeed a sad state of affairs.
Correction. Individuals that belong to a minority and work for the PPP enjoy full protection.
@someone: "Chawla is absolutely right….at least somebody from the minority community had the honesty to speak the truth! A few isolated instances against minorities cannot be taken as the norm….and the majority muslims have more incidents, percentage wise than their minority counterparts." Very true. That's because the monsters that Pakistan has created over the decades have already gobbled up the minority community. Now there are very few left to satiate the immense hunger of these monsters. Hence they have willy-nilly set themselves upon the hands that have been feeding them till now.
@someone:
There are many Muslims in top posts in USA. Just recently, Zalmay Khalilzad was the United States Ambassador at the United Nations. He is from Afghanistan. There are many like him. You do not get to a top post just because you are a Muslim. You have to work for it and be worth it. Many Iranian, Egyptian, Lebanese, Syrian, Jordanian, Turkish, Armenians, Indian and other Muslims, even Afghanis, have prospered. But you shall rarely find any muslim from Pakistan in high posts. Believe it or not, many muslims from other muslim countries do not consider Pakistanis as one of their own and this view is getting more and more acceptance, rather rapidly, in the recent years. Even grocery stores owned by Pakistanis selling Indian and Pakistani groceries are officially registered, named and called as an Indian grocery store. The same is true for restaurants also, even those owned by Pakistanis serving Indian and Pakistani dishes. 20 years ago, there was a Pakistani owned restaurant in Portland that had "Lahore" in its name. Even that is gone now. This restaurant had the best Samosas and Pakoras I have ever tasted. Large, Crispy and Spicy. Samosas were nearly $ 4 each at that time. I had to wait 30 minutes in the line to get a seat. Words like Pakistan and Pakistani are conspicuously avoided even by Pakistanis themselves, not just in US but elsewhere also, with a few exceptions in UK. The point I am making is that those sitting in Pakistan have no idea how Pakistan is viewed outside. This affects even the many good Pakistanis living abroad.
joke of the century
He says 'government was protecting the rights of the minorities in accordance with the Constitution'
He is right there. The catchline is "in accordance with the constitution." If the constitution and the laws themselves discriminate against non-muslims why blame the the people who are just following them in spirit ?
@Hasan:
Indeed they are. If Muslims in India are living so badly, why isn't there an exodus of them to the land of the pure and become Mohajirs. Isn't what you call muslims emigrated to Pakiastan during partition.
Pakistan is an ill an gotten land by lies and deceit hence it is failing and rotting out bit by bit.
@someone:
I don'tknow Pakistanis but I do know many Indian CEO's Pepsi, Adobe and Citi bank redily comes to mind. There two Indian-American governors.
There are many muslims in the US army there bound to be officers but hard to find their names.
You may not agree but I will let do the research via Google. It is not night just because you closed your eyes in the mid afternoon!
@someone: They don't try. While possibly less than a lot of countries, they still separate themselves in the US as well.
Minorities enjoying protection? The biggest joke of the day. Even the majority has no protection against terrorism, target killings, bhatta khori, kidnapping and what not. The Minister seems to live in a world of his own, or he is simply repeating HIS MASTER'S VOICE. Hindus are leaving, being forcibly converted, Christians, and often Muslims as well, being persecuted under the blasphemy laws. Even the Muslim sects which the extremists of a certain brand regard as 'infidels,' are being killed and injured daily, and you have the shamelessness to claim that minorities are enjoying protection!! The current government is a mere spectator to all the above, busy making hay while the sun shines!
Again, a mouthpiece of PPP
And Eid ka Bakra also enjoys full protection.
@Arijit Sharma: LOL....
Argit Sharma, "Rana tayyeb: ” … Please do what beloved PROPHET PBUH have done. … “
"Convert or else …".
This shows you have no knowldge of Islam but prejudice and narow mindedness.If you are a gentelman then show that you are a gentleman.Remember prejudice is a biggest hurdel towards releigious harmony, that this part of the world needs most, for lasting peace.
@Rana tayyeb: " ... Please do what beloved PROPHET PBUH have done. ... "
Convert or else ....
Glaring example " Sixty family members left Pakistan with lock, stock and barrels. They have gone to India. Why because the minorities have no protection inf Pakistan. Pakistan say Zinda Bhag policy forced them to leave this country and cross over to an Independent country.
chawla is a big layer, cant he see what is happening with us in this country, cant he see how a member of his party a sitting MNA of his party kidnap the hindu girls and forcely converts them in the name of marriages, cant chawla see how chief justice of pakistan respond to the case of rinkal, he is layer
at Hassan: we cant give the example of other countries. We must make our country clean and according to Islamic laws protect the citizen of the country no matter to which religion they belong to. I have never understand that to justify our sinns we gave the examples of others sinn. God will never ask you that what other have done but what you have done. If God ask at the time of judgment that why have u commit that mistake then would you give the example that other also have done it so it is justification ? Everybody is answerable what he has done. Please do what beloved PROPHET PBUH have done. Have you ever think why he is been called RAHAMTUL-LIL-AALMEEN ? We should be the part of rahmat if we associate to the GREATEST PROPHET on the earth rather to be Zahmat(which was the property of abu jahal and co).
if Mr minister is speaking truth then on which bases CM sindh take notice that minorities are migrating from Pak ? this is todays news.. These politicians are really Cunning, In punjab they had Michael as Minorities minister a christian and he always used to say same. These people are ofcourse neither loyal to Pak nor to their religion but to Party leaders for their personal Gains. As much as i look in to future , Pakistan is on the verge of Great Civil War. Every institution is ready to fight with each other. Every political parties ready to fight each other. And our leaders from Government , Judiciary, Army, police, Provinces Religious Parties and last but not least the Media are busy in their on Agendas. They even dont respect Ramdhan, Muharram. I am innerly disappointed. May ALLAH revenge all dirty players and give PAKISTAN a brave , God fearer leader. Who work for equality and justice(Ameen).
Even Muslims live terribly in India....Pakistani hindus are living more peacefully and comfortably than Indian Muslims.....Hindus here should thank us....
Another one talking through his back side-try telling this to the families of innocent Shias murdered day in day out
This is the bigesst cultural genocide ever happened in the history.Hindu cultures and tradition have been delibarately destroyed.The diff. with hitler is that was very fast quick elimination.This one is delbarately and slowly actioned with hindu from 20% to less than 2% of pakistan population. History will never forget pakistan.Evils,wrongness are spreading fast. New identites will be created once hindu,ahmadi and shia are out. Then there will be war between diff. identities within the same suni. It is the criminal action that needs to killed and wiped out. Action always delibarately creates identities to maintain status quo.
Come on people, give him a break!
This guy is a minister in the ruling party. Will he dare say that his party has failed to protect minorities?
Best Joke of the day.
@Awans: Awans, how wrong you could be, it was not Mr.Jinnah, he always wanted equal rights for all Pakistanis regardless of their religion but PPP's beloved Z A Bhutto who has Incorporated in the constitution that Ahmadis are non Muslims should be considered minorities, it was also him who wanted only to Muslims to be President and PM. I am a sunny Muslim and when I see injustice I see one. There is no doubt in my mind that minorities are living in fear of their lives and property. It was Zia who came up with this draconian laws called Blasphemy and Hadood . No government since that despicable dictator Zia had the courage or the guts to repeal these God forsaken laws. So much for this revenge of democracy. This current government is safeguarding their loot and they could not care less how the minorities in Pakistan feel. Tell us more lies and then ask us to elect you again.
Qaim Ali Shah's Cabnet v jhooley laal
first provide protectio to the shia muslims - then we will believe that minority hidus are protected too !
Indeed and camels have wings and there are flying carpets
The term minority when used in pakistan means second class or third class citizen it's not a joke pakistan record on humen rights speaks for it.Actions Louder Than Words.
@wonderer: No. Not even on paper.
@wonderer: not even paper for some minorities, i.e. Ahmadis.
Christian Girls being raped repeatedly and no law agency will register a case then the warth of Allah will come wake up Pakistan far Allah.
I was shocked to read that Ahmdias are not considered Muslims ...
@Awans
You gave the example of America where everyone is an American Citizen. How many American Muslims (Minority) are at top positions in the Army, Fortune 100 companies, parliament, etc? Their representation is much less than their population percentage. Interestingly Obama's popularity levels drop when there are rumours that he is a secret muslim and he has to ask his church father to confirm that he is a practicing christian!! In pakistan at least Chawla and thousands of other minorities are in top positions in the Armed forces, police, top companies, parliament, etc...
Mr. Chawla is supposed to fight for the rights of the minorities but the flash of ministerial luxury he fogot whats going on the Hindus, Ahmadis, Christians, Shias or any minorities who suffer every day the fear of being alive or being persecuted. Too many and blunt lies won't make it truth Mr. Minister.
Minorities were enjoying full protection only under the Regime of General Pervez Musharraf! but in current situation its getting worse day by day! As many are being kidnapped for ransom, girls are being forcefully converted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Shame on you Mukesh Chawla! I know you are talking your so called PPP language!!!!!!!!!!
he is doing a dis-service to Pakistan.
Shame on all those who blame Govt or Democracy for each and every misery people here are facing here; the irony is at one side all these bigots condemn the prejudice against minorities and on other side Hafiz Saeed is their Hero! Charlatans
Someone show this article to all the minorities leaving the country and tell them everything is fine and they should make return back.
(dear Tribune please put in a special font for sarcasm. Thanks)
pls wake him up
According to American Constitution anyone a Citizen of America is American and same is the case in most of the developed countries while in Pakistan we have a special status for anyone who is not a Muslim and our Constitution calls them Minorities not Pakistanis. They dont even have the right to even qualify for Prime Minister and President. A minority is automatically Disqualified for Major Posts in Parliaments. Quade Azam and his cronies failed to recognize that before 1947 more than 30 percent of the people in Pakistani regions were Non Muslims and Quade Azam in one go just told every Non Muslim that from now on A Pakistani could only be a Muslim and all others are Minorities in our land. The same story goes on and will go on.
Which Pakistan does this minister live in?
Say that to Aisha Bibi, Ahmadiya people and the 60 hindu families who have just migrated to India.
Welcome to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. As Winston Churchill once said "this is the beginning of the end". If the Minister's words were right then Pakistan would not be ranked as a failed nation.
"Minorities enjoy full protection in Pakistan and there is no load shedding either: PPP minister +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ That's the complete statement.
@someone: http://tribune.com.pk/story/419691/persecution-forces-60-hindu-families-to-migrate-to-india/
PPP led government is protecting rights of the minorities even why then they are fleeing to other countries? The minister must be knowing how fast young hindu women are being converted to Islam and married with mulim males. The minister is not doing any service to his own community by his deceptive statements, which every body including the minister himself know to be a white lie.
@wonderer: Not even on paper. Constitution ,laws ,Ordinances all allow and even instigate persecution of minorites.
wow, what a slap on the face of the liar mafia deliberately depicting minorities as being constantly threaten....................
That this government is performing abysmally is not the most outrageous part,what is most disgusting and irritating is that it does not even realize it.
It is enshrined in the Pakistani flag ! The Green part represents the majority and the White represents the Minorities. That is why they stuck the pole in the WHITE Part !!
I don't know what he's on but he might want to be an Ahmadi for a day? I've met Hindus and Christians and Ahmadis who live here and none are happy and none feel protected by the government. Even have a Parsi/Zoroastrian friend who is now leaving Pakistan for good, despite being born in a relatively privileged family here. He's felt the discrimination first hand, as a boss, as an employee and generally as a citizen of Pakistan. Even the police gave him a hard time! So really Chawla's got to wake up and some time soon would be nice!
Result of freedom and full protection ---from 20% to 3 % and online conversion in primetime shows.
He's just trying to save his seat... look at all the Hindus who have gone to India!
LOL! I think it's safe to say that minority rights were much better under the Musharraf government. They have gotten progressively worse ever since.
The minister has just got to ask few questions off his office. 1. How many senior jobs go to the minorities 2. What is the statistics of acutually haunting out minorities from their jobs 3. How many minority houses have been attacked on the pretext of being a minority 4. How many minority girls and women have been picked up for forced conversions 5. How many permits were granted for places of worship for the minorities 6. How many of minority places of worship were attacked
After getting the answers I am sure that the honourable minister will apologize to the minority community for not being able to protect them and their lives.
As a Pakistani, I feel ashamed that we treat our minorities extremely badly. It is shameful that Mr. Chawla himself a minority is trying to defend a thoroughly despicable act of the overwhelming majority. He should ensure that his government takes proper measures to protect the minorities so that there are no forced migrations because of violence acts of us, Muslims.
We pakistanis talk of minorities as if they are not our own, as if they are foreign immigrants. 5 % quota in jobs?!!? And then we hear stories of pakistanis abroad crying about discrimination when they apply for jobs! The 'minorities' should be given equal opportunities for employment in all sectors and industries not just for cleaning sewers like we have insulted many pakistani christians with.
"......minorities in Pakistan enjoy full protection."
You are absolutely right, but you forgot to add "only on paper.*
You stupid minister 60 hindu families are leaving Pakistan to India and you are saying that minorities are being protected by PPP what a crap!!!!!! Shame on you and Pakistan government you have failed everybody!!!!Musharaff was 100 times better than the present failed democracy
Ask the minister to read another article in this very newspaper about hindus migrating to India from Pakistan. He may learn what is happening in his state/country
Chawla is absolutely right....at least somebody from the minority community had the honesty to speak the truth! A few isolated instances against minorities cannot be taken as the norm....and the majority muslims have more incidents, percentage wise than their minority counterparts.
Minorities enjoying full protection in Pakistan???? A nice joke. In a Muslim country where Muslims are not enjoying full protection, how could minorities enjoy this privilege.
Since minorities now constitute just 3% of the population from 20% at independence, where did the rest go ? The statistics will be recorded in History as an unparalleled Holocaust. The situation is not only alarming but shocking too.
yeah, right