Dr Qibla Ayaz, the chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology Council (CII) has said that the decision regarding the construction of the temple in Islamabad will be taken in the context of the Constitution and the international law.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday along with National Minorities Commission (NMC) Chairman Chila Ram Kewalani and Parliamentary Secretary Shunila Ruth, Ayaz said that minorities had full rights in the country. He praised the government’s initiative of the NMC.
Ayaz said that that the matter of the construction of temple in the federal capital had been referred to the research wing of the IIC. “The council will make its recommendations in accordance with the Constitution and the international law,” he added, while responding to a question.
The IIC chairman described the NMC as a good initiative, which “will promote harmony and brotherhood and give minorities their rights”. He added: “We should all play a role in promoting unity in our society. The National Minority Commission is the beauty of Pakistan and it should be highlighted.”
He said that the IIC had also been made an NMC member so that it could legislate on the issues of the minorities. “The National Minorities Commission will bring unity in the country. It will help thwart the enemy designs,” he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Ruth said that protection of the rights of the minorities was the foremost priority of the present government. “We are ensuring implementation of the 5% quota in jobs for minorities. Similarly, 7% funds were provided to minorities under the Ehsas programme,” she added.
She noted that the minorities have had problems and their issues were being resolved. “For the first time a Hindu community member has been made the chairman of the NMC,” she said. She informed the media that a high-level parliamentary committee on forced conversions had been formed.
Addressing the press conference, Kewalani said that the NMC members visited different cities of the country and listened to the problems of minorities, adding that the prime minister had assured them of resolving their problems. “The government is taking serious action on the issue of forced conversions.”
Responding to a question, NMC chairman Kewalani, said that he would meet the opposition parties next month on the issue of minorities. “Minorities issues are common for both the government and the opposition.
He said that the NMC condemned the killing of Hindus in India. About the building of temple in Islamabad he said that the decision would be taken by the IIC. He also said that scholars of all schools of thought would be consulted for the legislation on forced conversions issue.
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