Punjab

Out of focus: ‘Ministers for minorities must give up other posts’

They have not called any meetings at the depts, APMAF says.

Our Correspondent July 14, 2013

Sindhu and Michael were devoting so much of their time to their additional portfolios that their main portfolios were getting ignored, says Chairman APMAF. ILLUSTRATION: FAIZAAN DAWOOD

LAHORE: The All Pakistan Minorities Alliance Founders (APMAF), celebrating its founding day on Sunday, demanded that the minorities affairs ministers additional portfolios be withdrawn.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)’s Punjab Minorities Wing President and Chairman APMAF Pervez Rafique said having multiple portfolios distracted the ministers.

He said Provincial Minorities Affairs Minister Tahir Khalil Sindhu had the additional charge of Health Department and Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs Kamran Michael had the additional charge of the Ministry of Port and Shipping. He said Sindhu and Michael were devoting so much of their time to their additional portfolios that their main portfolios were getting ignored. He said there was a lot of work to be done for minorities, but the ministers had not convened a single meeting at their departments.

Rafique said the late Shahbaz Bhatti had been a true representative of the minorities.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 15^th, 2013.