Sindhu says another residence would be appropriate so that there was no question of perceived disrespect for mosque PHOTO: FILE
Minister for Human Rights and Minorities Khalil Tahir Sindhu’s name came up for a draw for the allotment of residences for provincial ministers in the GOR-I, 3-Club Road.
The house which had previously served as an office of the chief minister’s secretariat includes a mosque.
But Sindhu said considering a lot of minority people would be visiting him it might be more appropriate for him to get another residence instead so that there was no question of perceived disrespect for the mosque.
The request to switch houses was granted and the human rights and minorities minister was given a house on I-A Upper Mall instead.
Of the 25 provincial ministers, advisor and special assistants, 10 have been allotted houses in the GOR-I with the approval of the chief minister.
The houses were allotted through a ballot supervised by Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal. Two houses have been allotted to the speaker and deputy speaker. The ministers not getting official residences would be paid house rent and utility bills. The special assistant and advisor would get Rs20,000 per month as rent and provincial ministers Rs50,000 per month. The S&GAD’s welfare wing would provide furnishings for all ministers’ houses. Up to Rs100,000 would be spent on each house, an official said.
Cabinet members who have been given official residences are Rana Sanaullah Khan, Raja Ashfaq Sarwar, Rana Mashood Ahmad Khan, Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar, Tanveer Aslam Malik, Sher Ali Khan, Khalil Tahir Sindhu, Abdul Waheed Choudhary, Muhammad Asif Malik and Chaudhry Muhammad Shafique.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 16th, 2013.
COMMENTS (12)
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A J Khan Where the word Minority actually shows the discriminatory situation of pakistanis who do not belong to the religion of the majority of the country but atleast according to the UN Charter they are granted minimum human rights. At the sametime anyother "title" you are suggesting does not have any connotation Neither in the UN nor it would free them of their situation to which they are reduced.
See the lavishness of these advisors and ministers. They live off the money of the poor public. Do these people not have their own lavish homes? Its OK for a federal minister, but the provincial ministers are supposed to serve their province
He is saying minorities are 'dirty' so should not come close to a mosque. Hmm. So much for being a minister of human rights.
Why do the ministers need govt paid houses? Were they living in the streets before? Haven't they taken the votes in the name of serving the poor?
@A J Khan: LOLs !
@A J Khan: "He has avoided company of mullah and future troubles for the non Muslim Pakistanis." The point was the mosque and every mosque doesn't necessarily involves Mullah factor
Wonder what will be pewrceived that the ministry had to do this. Donot the mininorities see a mosques or in some cases live nearby a mosque.
@A J Khan: with his opinion he showed his grace and with your comments you revealed the bitterness hidden inside you. Extremely pathetic.
@NK Ali:
with his opinion he showed his grace and with your comments you revealed the bitterness hidden inside you. Extremely pathetic.
Sensible move by the minister. Salams
Minister for Human Rights Khalil Tahir Sindhu has taken a wise decision. He has avoided company of mullah and future troubles for the non Muslim Pakistanis. I would also request the minister in charge, to replace the word "minority" with some other decent expression. He can call himself as Minister for special Pakistanis, or Minister for non Muslims Pakistanis or Minister for Gorgeous Pakistanis.