On their own: Minorities’ constitutional rights demanded

Prerogative of non-Muslims to freely perform religious obligations, says Fida Hussain.

PESHAWAR:

Representatives of human rights organisations asked the government to take pragmatic measures to uphold the constitutional rights of non-Muslims.

Speaking at a news conference at the Peshawar Press Club, South Asian Partnership of Pakistan (SAPP) Regional Programme Coordinator Fida Hussain said it was the prerogative of non-Muslims to freely perform religious obligations and avail their rights according to the Constitution.

Flanked by representatives of the Hindu community, All Pakistan Hindu Movement Chairman Haroon Sarab Diyal, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Heritage Council Chairman Shakeel Wahidullah and several human rights activists, Hussain highlighted the media’s role in sensitising the public about the rights of minorities in the country.

Diyal expressed anguish over the encroachment of Hindu properties and other religious places by influential people in the province and the rest of the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 15^th, 2014.