LAHORE, Dec 21 (APP):Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar on Tuesday said that a special commission was being constituted for the protection of minorities’ rights as formulation of the commission had been drafted.
He said this while talking to a delegation of the Christian community led by Provincial Minister
Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Ejaz Alam at CM Office here. The delegation thanked the
chief minister for the welfare measures of the minority communities.
The chief minister said the government had made a five times increase in minorities’ budget
in the current financial year with as an amount of Rs 2.5 billion had been earmarked for the
welfare of minority communities.
He said the recruitment process had started for the vacancies under the five per cent job quota
for minorities and 100 per cent implementation would be ensured. For the first time in the history of Punjab province, a two per cent special quota had been fixed for students of minority communities in higher education institutions to help them to continue their studies.
Meanwhile, Youhana Abad in Lahore and Warispura in Faisalabad had been declared as model
minority areas. Similarly, a Hindu temple had been restored in Bhong area of Rahim Yar Khan
and every effort would be made to protect the rights of the religious minorities, Buzdar added.
He said the role of minorities in the development of Pakistan could not be ignored. The Constitution of Pakistan protects the rights of minorities as they enjoy equal rights, he concluded.
SACM Hasaan Khawar and Secretary Human Rights and Minorities Affairs department were
also present.
The participants of delegation said the government had taken unprecedented steps for the welfare of religious minorities. They also appreciated the government’s sustained efforts to protect their rights. The government had taken the lead in the welfare of minority communities, they added.
The delegation included Parliamentary Secretary for Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Mahinder Pall Singh, Haroon Gill MPA, Youdester Chauhan, Bishop Azad Marshall, Archbishop Sebastian Francis, Dr Majid Abe, head of Salvation Army in Lahore, Chairperson Minority Advisory Council Punjab Jacqueline Tressler, Vice Chairman Minority Advisory Council Punjab Robinson Aziz Francis, Bishop Wilson John Gill and others.
