“Minorities will feel secure and strong with more representatives in legislative assemblies,” he said.
Bhatti told the audience that the government had already reserved four seats in the Senate in light of new amendments introduced to the Constitution after the passage of the 18th Amendment and was also planning to establish a large university for arts and religions in Islamabad, where all religions would be taught with equal respect.
“It will mark our beloved homeland Pakistan as a tolerant and peace loving country on the map of the world,” he said.
The minister also urged the provincial and local governments as well as the Fata administration to encourage employment of minority individuals in all public and private sectors.
“I know that the youth of our minorities are also ambitious and want to join our valiant defence forces. I will give my proposals at appropriate forum in this regard,” said Bhatti.
Correction: An earlier version of the article stated that the government is likely to allocate quota for minorities, but instead Paul Bhatti had called for an increase in the existing quota. The article has been revised for corrections.
COMMENTS (13)
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The minorities already have an adequate quota. Perhaps minority representatives like you should also try to do some tangible work like consolidating and empowering the beleaguered Christian community in Punjab by being vocal about it in media and stop demanding more seats for your relatives to enjoy.
All join hands in making the system where justice prevails. No need of quota. Myself am from minority community.
Increase in number of seats based on increase in population, strange! When it comes to the alleged persecution being committed to the minorities in this country it is made a very strong point that because of this so called inhuman treatment, population of the minorities is decreasing in Pakistan.
@Ahmed: Thank you for completing the incomplete report of Mr. Zahid Gishkori.
@ Zahid Gishkori:–
Article 51(3) specifies Natioanl Assemble seats province/territory allocation, and section 51(4) i squoted below:
(4) In addition to the number of seats referred to in clause (3), there shall be, in the National Assembly, ten seats reserved for non-Muslims.
Article 106(1) specifies reserved seats for minorities in provincial assemblies.
Most of people here are commenting without having any knowledge of the subject. When such news comes from a known source most of people do not bother to know if it is right or wrong.
@ Zahid Gishkori:--
Please read Article 51(6) of Constitution. Seats are already reserved in Pakistan for minorities since begining of Constitution.
Do not write articles which are not based on facts or without proper research. It is a common knowledge that minorities has reserved seats.
@Sam: our freedom from India was only gained after we were not given safeguards such as quotas in the seats. as most of the Muslim community would be biased while voting , preferring Muslims over non Muslims, they must be given seperate electorates and reserved seats so that they may all be represented in the parliament !
Nice Move, but minority problems will not be solved untill the reserved seat members are also elected.
Why do we call them minorities at first ??? I am unable to comprehend the idea of allocating certain quota to these people. At the end they are Pakistanis!!!
A very very nice move. But to be very honest our constitution will remain biased as no Non Muslim can ever become a Prime minister or President of our country. Take the example of India where we have seen a Muslim President Abdul Kalam but we can never see a Non Muslim to be on the top position in our country according to our constitution. I have a question to my fellow Pakistanis that if you have would have a choice to choose between a Truthful Jew and deceitful Muslim what would you select. A Jew or a Muslim?????????. I will select a Truthful Jew compared to a Muslim in this case.
So we will remain biased as our constitution is not meant for all Pakistanis but it is only for One majority.
It will mark our beloved homeland Pakistan as a tolerant and peace loving country on the map of the world.
Was Hafeez Saeed consulted???
If not wiped out.allow them to live honourably.
Don't we already have quota for minorities o_O ?