Opposition moves minorities quota bill on admissions

Although 5% job quota for minorities in government departments has not yet been implemented

KARACHI: While the five per cent job quota for minorities in government departments has not yet been implemented, an opposition lawmaker has moved two separate bills to allocate a five per cent quota for non-Muslims in admissions to government colleges and universities in Sindh.

Nand Kumar Goklani, of the Grand Democratic Alliance, submitted the private bills to the Sindh Assembly secretariat, quoting the international commitments of the Pakistani government as well as Articles 36 and 37 of the Constitution pertaining to safeguarding the rights of religious minorities.

Assembly officials confirmed that they had received "Sindh Minority Educational Seats Act, 2020" and "Sindh Minorities Access to Higher Education Act, 2020," which would be referred to the law department for vetting.

"My bill regarding forced conversion was passed but the Sindh government asked the governor not to sign it. Finally, the government withdrew the bill," said Goklani while speaking to the media. "Now I have moved two other bills and hope that the Pakistan Peoples Party government, which claims to champion minority rights, will take it seriously."

Goklani said that the Hindu community, especially those belonging to scheduled castes, were underprivileged and deprived of all basic facilities. To redress this, he maintained, they should be given opportunities and their quota should be fixed at five per cent in public colleges and universities.