Minorities’ minister claims being blackmailed
Minister in-charge for National Harmony Dr Paul Bhatti has claimed that some ‘self-proclaimed representatives of minorities’ are blackmailing him to mint money from his ministry.
“After failing to get their illegitimate demands, these elements have started blackmailing my office and causing embarrassment to the staff as well,” the minister said in a press statement.
Without mentioning any party affiliation, he claimed that these so-called leaders of minorities have started a campaign against him through press statements. However, sources said these people were affiliated with the minorities’ wing of the ruling party.
“Sohail Roomi, Jibran Gill, Liaqat Bhatti, etc, are pressurising the office of the minister in-charge to get plots allotted in their names and other monetary benefits instead of demanding support for the general minority communities,” Dr Paul said.
He said he believes in serving the minority communities but not to a group of certain people who visits his office often for personal gains only.
He claimed that some so-called and self-proclaimed representatives of the minority communities used to visit his office and demand money in cash, funds and plots for personal benefits, which, he added, needs to be discouraged at all forums.
Dr Paul also said that there were no funds available for development projects after the devolution of ministry of minorities to the provinces. However, he added that he is launching a vocational institute to uplift minorities in his own capacity from the platform of the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance.
Published In The Express Tribune, June 14th, 2012.
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Correction "Not that it's not a bad situation, ..."
Not that it's a bad situation, regardless, if true but... Blackmail usually requires someone being threatened to be exposed if their demands are not met. What exactly is it the blackmailers are threatening to expose?
How about filing an FIR and appeal to court than throwing in a press conference. Besides, your ministry must have something that is attracting so many blackmailers
Minority representatives should be elected by minority community not selected by party leaders only then real minorities will get hope for justice, selected representatives are of no use to the public.
Now this is something new. everyone is suddenly claiming that they are being blackmailed.
The minister should offer the specifics and file a case against the extortionists. All criminal elements be brought to justice no matter what party. This is called principle not my boy or my man cannot do it. All corrupts are brothers, sons and fathers of somebody but that does not prevent them from corruption.