Minorities’ minister claims being blackmailed
The alleged blackmailers are affiliated with PPP’s minorities wing.
ISLAMABAD:
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.
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.