Empowerment of minorities stressed

Speakers underline issues faced by representatives of religious minorities.

LAHORE:

The Centre for Social Justice organised a convention on ‘Empowering local minorities’ representation’ to underline the issues faced by representatives of religious minorities, with the participation of councillors and socio-political leaders from Punjab.

At the convention, senior lawyer and country director of Human Rights Watch Saroop Ijaz, director of Sangat Foundation Zahid Islam, director of Idea Pakistan Salman Abid, Barrister Mubeenuddin Qazi and Executive Director of CSJ Peter Jacob called for timely elections, empowerment of all and emphasis on meaningful participation of the minorities in local governments.

The event was also attended by representatives of political parties.

The panelists agreed that representatives should be elected on a party basis so that elections strengthen democratic institutions; ensure representation for women and minorities in the LG system, especially in sub-committees, to ensure equal participation in decision-making; ECP must hold elections within the stipulated time; and the number should be increased by showing generosity in allocating seats in the constituencies.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 4^th, 2021.