Political mainstream: Social activists bemoan lack of minority representation

Say discrimination is embedded in policies and the biased curriculum of schools

LAHORE: Human rights and political activists expressed their concerns over the underrepresentation of religious minorities in mainstream political parties’ minority wings.

A delegation of Minority Rights Watch, which is a social media group dedicated to supporting religious minorities, had a meeting with Pakistan Peoples Party’s Central Punjab President Qamar Zaman Kaira. It discussed issues related to minorities, such as the 5% quota in jobs. It also talked about educational and other government institutions as well as the participation of religious minorities in the political process.

The representatives said it was the responsibility of political leaders to start campaigns to end the hate, discrimination and violence against religious minorities. They said it was essential to promote peace and social harmony in the political system.

The minority wings in political parties are dividing people in the name of religion, they said.

The group added discrimination was also embedded in policies and the biased curriculum of schools.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 25^th, 2017.