Islamabad: June 29, 2011. J.Salik Convener World Minorities Alliance, Former Federal Minister and a noble peace prize nominee and 5 times independently elected member have expressed deep concern on devolution of Federal Ministry of Minority Affairs
and termed it as government’s attempt to end national identity of 7 million Pakistani Christians and other minorities. The minorities have there own importance in the federal but Christians are facing Injustices, prejudices and discriminations in the Democracy of Pakistan, said the former federal minister
The devolution of Federal Minority Ministry will come in effect from June 30, 2011, as per decision of Pakistan Cabinet here in Islamabad on June 28, 2011.
As this ministry was formed by late Zulifikar Ali Bhutto who was maker of laws in 1973 to show the importance of the minorities to the world and by devolving the minority affair ministry the government is degrading the federal
As according to the open commitment made on the national flag of Pakistan with the Christians in Holy Trinity Church, Karachi by first prime minister of Pakistan by showing the Christians that the white colour on the flag represents the Christians. The other minorities will also benefit from this.
J.Salik said PPP government has snatched our identity with devolution of Federal Minority Ministry
“The issues of Christians are of National Level which are related to legislation to ensure them equal basic democratic right and not connected with provincial autonomy “
J.Salik added that none of Minorities political party was called to sign on 18th amendment.
J.Salik said “Now It is time to fight for our rights and he appealed to all real democratic people who struggle for human rights to put hands together and help him fight the cause as he will approach to the Supreme Court and file a case against this he will do everything possible to achieve the minorities’ rights
Remember, the following points need serious consideration; in this so-called democracy the major political parties have been given the powers to nominate members of minorities in parliament. Which are not the true and genuine representatives of the minorities because they are not elected by the votes of minorities; they are only selected by the major political parties. So they have nothing to do with minorities and their problems
In 1985 the total strength of National Assembly was 207 and 217 including 10 (4 Christians, 4 Hindus, 1 Parsi, Buddhist, Sikh and 1 Qadyani) minorities’ members, while the current strength of National Assemble is 342 including 60 reserved for women, and 10 from minorities. Note that after years the no of minorities’ seats remains the same. This is an atrocity with the minorities
In light of above mentioned circumstances
During the hearing of petition of the case filed for the injustice mentioned above, Chief Justice Sheikh Riaz adjourned the hearing and gave the date after election. On this decision, Mr. J Salik showed his anger and took the petition back. He said that I do not have any hope of justice from this court.
After this Mr. J Salik decided to file and admit the petition in the Shariat Court, with the hope that being a non-Muslim citizen of Pakistan, I will get speedy justice from Shariat Court, but in the very first hearing of the petition, due to the absence of a Judge of a Full Bench, no a action was taken. Again once again, being hopeless from the Shariat Court, he decided to take the petition back after long period of 4years.
Than we waited for 8years long period that the time will come when this dictatorship of Gen Pervez Musharraf will end and the democracy will be restored, but after the restoration of the democracy, this democratic government very shamefully turned this ordinance into a constitution by 18th amendment.
Than once again, Mr. J Salik decided to challenge the 18th amendment into Supreme Court. On this petition the renowned Justices of the Supreme Court have passed the following remarks;
Justice Jawad Khawaja said on 2nd September, 2010, that more than 30% of the members of parliament are so-called representatives of their people.
Justice Javed Iqbal said on 6th September, 2010 that the present way of selection of minorities’ and reserved seats is the opposite of democratic reign.
Justice Khalil Ul Rehman said on 28th September 2010 the present parliament has not made any law regarding the election of minorities’ seats.
Chief Justice Iftikar Muhammad Chaudry said that the selection of the minority members in the Parliament is against the Article 226 of the constitution.