Chief Minister has taken numerous steps to protect the rights of minorities. CM Punjab has made a special commission for this task.
A delegation of Christian community, led by Provincial Minister for Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Ejaz Alam, called on Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar at his office and thanked him for his works for the welfare of the minorities.
“The government has taken unprecedented steps for the welfare of the minorities,” they said and appreciated the government’s efforts to protect their rights. “The Punjab government has taken the lead in the welfare of the minorities,” they added.
Talking on the occasion, CM Usman Buzdar said that a special commission was being constituted for the protection of the rights of the minorities. “The draft plan for the establishment of a minority rights commission has been prepared,” he explained. “The government has also made a five times increase in the minorities’ budget in the current financial year.”
He said that during the current financial year, Rs2.5 billion had been earmarked for the welfare of the minorities, adding that recruitment against the vacant posts had been started under five per cent quota for the minorities.
“For the first time in the history of Punjab, two per cent special quota has been fixed for students of minority communities in higher education institutions to help them continue their study. Also, Youhana Abad in Lahore and Warispura in Faisalabad have been declared as model minority areas. Similarly, a Hindu temple has been restored in the Bhong area of Rahim Yar Khan and every effort will be made to protect the rights of the minorities,” Usman Buzdar explained.
He said that role of the minorities in the development of Pakistan could not be ignored. “The Constitution of Pakistan protects the rights of the minorities as they enjoy equal rights,” he concluded.
SACM Hasaan Khawar and Human Rights and Minorities Affairs secretary were also present on the occasion. The delegation included Parliamentary Secretary for Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Mahinder Pall Singh, MPA Haroon Gill, Youdester Chauhan, Bishop Azad Marshall, and others.
