Minority issues

Among the more useful initiatives introduced by General (retd) Pervez Musharraf was a bid to increase minority and women participation in parliament by instituting reserved seats for them. For women, this move can be termed a success to an extent, with women parliamentarians being among the most forthright in parliament. The story for minorities has been quite different. Members of minority communities are complaining that the reserved seats for minorities are handed out on the basis of money and patronage. Given the situation of minorities in Pakistan, it is clear that not enough has been done to protect their rights, something that is sorely needed at a time when Christians and Hindus are being persecuted like never before.

The numbers of minorities are simply not enough for them to either be chosen as candidates for general seats or influence the outcome in elections. This leads to their being sidelined. On top of that, those minorities who are elected on reserved seats are likely fearful of speaking out against any injustice, especially after the assassination of minorities minister Shahbaz Bhatti. The climate of fear that has permeated minority communities after the Joseph Colony incident in Lahore and forced conversions in Sindh, have added to the problem.

Still, there are some positive signs. The PPP refused to give a ticket to its parliamentarian from the NA 200 seat because of his suspected involvement in the forced conversion of a Hindu girl. But these token gestures are not enough. Minorities should be given more say in the selection of candidates for reserved seats. Muslim parliamentarians must become more sensitive to minority issues as minority votes also contribute to their party’s victory. Minorities may need to start voting en masse to force parliamentarians to take their issues seriously. Politicians will respond when they are threatened with losing power and the only way to do that is through positing a united front.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 9^th, 2013.