Members of minority communities are complaining that the reserved seats for minorities are handed out on the basis of money and patronage.
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 9th, 2013.
COMMENTS (7)
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@amir Jafri: Your so called Islamic Policies and laws having been working really well in the last 65 years. If people keep thinking like you the Islamic Republic of Pakistan will end up in the dustbin of history so wake up and open your eyes. If things were so awsome in Pakistan people would be fighting to get inside the country. Its actually the otherway around. Pakistanis are fighting and finding all sorts of ways to get out of your islamic policies and laws.
@Toticalling: Pakistan is and has always been ruled by "muslims"..so if some "muslim" gets elected in Europe , that doesn't mean it has become Islamic; not yet anyway. Tribune operates within ISLAMIC REPUBLIC of Pakistan and NOT as a LIBEROON SECULAROON republic.
Liberaloon Secularoon countries have their laws policies and its for them..you are a DESI a PAKISTANI you are supposed to have Islamic policies and laws..not the common-law bequeathed to slaves by Britto-Baboons.
Message given in editorial not acceptable. Do not discriminate on the basis of religion. Best way each party to reserve quota of tickets for minority members to contest elections on general seat with the backing of the party. For example PPP, PML adn PTI etc can declare that 2% more or less of its party tickets will be awarded to minority members and then ask for nomination papers amongst minority members. Selected one should contest election on open seats and all party followers irrespective of religion should assist these members to win election. This will encourage the minority members and each will feel as part of main stream Pakistani. Able and competent minority members will come forward to serve the country. But unfortunately no one is going to listen this suggestion as each good suggestion find deaf ears in Pakistan. Developed Western countries have already adopted this method and successfully working in UK, Germany, Belgium, USA, Holland and France.
@amir jafri: I laughed after reading your comment, which lacks any logic. So Holland is anti Muslim? Is that the reason why more and Muslims are trying to enter Holland by hook or crook? And if minorities are so so happy then millions of non Muslims are flocking to Pakistan? What faulty logic. There is no alternative to equal treatment to all citizens of this country. In Hessen province in Germany a Muslim of arab origin is leading an opposition party. That is called secular approach. We should praise the editorial policies of Tribune for telling us which way the cooky crumbles. And people like you who cannot tolerate human approach should stomach the truth with dignity.
What else can one expect from the editor of this Paper..The paper reeks of its liberaloon and secularoon miasma. The anti-Islam stench is palpable and exceeds and excels even more than it is from Holland.
Muslims are holding their nose but not closing their eyes.
@Domlurian: "Minorities? What minorities? They are on their way to extinction. Just send them out on the next train or bus. Saves Pakistan a lot of trouble."
Absolutely correct. Hindus, Christians and Ahmedis are almost extinct in Pakistan.
Now, the only minorities in Pakistan are the Shias, but they do not have reserved seats. They are getting the worst of both worlds.
Minorities? What minorities? They are on their way to extinction. Just send them out on the next train or bus. Saves Pakistan a lot of trouble.