Minority Caucus formed to fight for rights: MPA Barkat

Says government taking concrete measures for protection of social, legal and economic rights of minorities

QUETTA: MPA William Jan Barkat has said that a Minority Caucus has been formed for promotion of equal employment opportunities for minorities at all levels, to foster leadership development and empower minorities to become active participants and leaders in society.

“The incumbent government is taking concrete measures for protection of social, legal and economic rights of minorities,” said MPA Barkat while addressing the inaugural meeting of the Minority Caucus on Monday.



Caucus member MPA Shahida Rauf, Engineer Zamruk Khan Achakzai, Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Secretary Abdul Fateh Bhangar, UNDP Provincial Communication Officer Muhammad Dawood Nangial, other MPAs and Caucus members were also present in the meeting.

Barkat congratulated all members on the formation of the Minority Caucus and said that this was the first minority council formed in the history of Balochistan and at the provincial level in Pakistan's history.

He applauded the efforts made by the present government in establishing the Minority Caucus in the province.



He said, “The purpose of forming this Minority Caucus is to ensure equal citizen rights to minorities of this province.”

He said that the Minority Caucus would be working for protection of social, legal and economic rights of minorities.

Taking over the podium, MPA Rauf said, “Through this platform we will assure full religious and social freedom to minorities residing in Balochistan. They will be free to pray and worship in churches and temples, free to celebrate religious occasions, and free to work in all fields and departments without any discrimination.

She stressed the need to change mindsets.

She said, “Behavioural change is required to establish a balanced society.”



Religious Affairs Secretary Bhangar apprised the caucus members about the special budget allocated for establishment of Minority Caucus, a part of which would be spent on education of poor minority children and youth in the form of scholarships.

Apart from this, he said, “Five per cent jobs are being allocated for the minority community in all government departments.”