PESHAWAR: Political parties have failed to fulfil promises made to minority groups in their electoral manifesto. A seminar on religious freedom and human rights held on Wednesday at Peshawar Press Club examined and compared the commitments made prior to elections.
The seminar was organised by the South Asia Partnership (SAP) Pakistan and underscored the need to uphold the rights of minorities.
Haroon Sarbdiyal, the All Pakistan Hindu Rights Movement (APHRM) chairman, compared party manifestos, released prior to general elections in 2013, to analyse commitments made to protect minorities. According to Sarbdiyal, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Jamaat-e-Islami (JUI-F), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUIF), Awami National Party (ANP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) had all made promise to protect minorities.
After a careful examination of the manifestos, Sarbdiyal said the PPP made 15 promises to protect minorities whereas the PML-N’s programme for the election makes 10 promises. The PTI’s manifesto made five promises to defend minority rights. The JUI-F’s made two promises to protect minority rights whereas the MQM had made seven promises.
None of the leaders who assumed public office have fulfilled their electoral promises, said Sarbdiyal. However, the APHRM chairman lauded the ANP and MQM’s manifestos for adopting a progressive stance on issues faced by minority groups.
He said minorities in K-P were treated with dignity and respect during the rule of both Awami National Party (ANP) and Muttahida Majlis Amal (MMA). He urged the PTI government to follow the path of its predecessors and strengthen the position of minorities in the province.
Agents of change
Speaking at the occasion, SAP member Augstin Jacob emphasised the role of the media in bridging the fault lines between people from different religions in the country.
Nusrat Ara, the coordinator of SAP, said consistent efforts were being made to guarantee legal rights to minorities. She added the Commission for Peace and Minority Rights has been formed to work with legislators to propose legal changes and improve the status of minorities in the province.
According to Nusrat Ara, it is important to consult lawmakers and media to raise the stake of issues faced by minorities.
“Theoretically, minorities are equal citizens, but the reality is quite different,” she said. “Not all citizens respect other religions.”
Nusrat Ara added, “Incidents in Joseph Colony, Shanti Nagar, Gojra and the All Saints Church have triggered panic among minorities and have tarnished the image of the country.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 18th, 2014.
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