Minority leaders demand shot at general seats
Former MNA George Claimant says political parties should abolish ‘minority wings’.
PESHAWAR:
Representatives of minority communities are lobbying to introduce a law that seeks to replace the existing system of selecting non-Muslim parliamentarians.
The representatives are hoping to make a more democratic system whereby community members are able to vote for their representatives in parliament.
In a press conference on Monday, former MNA George Claimant asked political parties to abolish ‘minority wings’ and instead give non-Muslims more representation by giving them party tickets to contest for general seats. “The parties should include a reform package in their manifestos and end discriminatory laws,” Claimant said. He added that Pakistani minorities must have the right to elect a person to safeguard their rights and represent them on national forums.
Highlighting flaws in the existing system, he said there was presently not a single minority representative from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in the National Assembly.
He also said that many people had been nominated to parliament through favouritism, while minority communities have been ignored. “In order to protect our rights, the government needs to change current laws,” Claimant added.
Head of the Christian Study Centre, Romana Bashi, also spoke at the news briefing and said that women from minority groups were sidelined in both national and provincial assemblies.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 2nd, 2012.
Representatives of minority communities are lobbying to introduce a law that seeks to replace the existing system of selecting non-Muslim parliamentarians.
The representatives are hoping to make a more democratic system whereby community members are able to vote for their representatives in parliament.
In a press conference on Monday, former MNA George Claimant asked political parties to abolish ‘minority wings’ and instead give non-Muslims more representation by giving them party tickets to contest for general seats. “The parties should include a reform package in their manifestos and end discriminatory laws,” Claimant said. He added that Pakistani minorities must have the right to elect a person to safeguard their rights and represent them on national forums.
Highlighting flaws in the existing system, he said there was presently not a single minority representative from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in the National Assembly.
He also said that many people had been nominated to parliament through favouritism, while minority communities have been ignored. “In order to protect our rights, the government needs to change current laws,” Claimant added.
Head of the Christian Study Centre, Romana Bashi, also spoke at the news briefing and said that women from minority groups were sidelined in both national and provincial assemblies.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 2nd, 2012.