Karachi:
Monday, the SINDH assembly unanimously adopted a decision to mark National Minorities Day, where both the Treasury and the opposition leaders confirm that the constitution guarantees full protection to minority in Sindh and over Pakistan.
The move, taken three days before Independence Day, was described as a confirmation that every citizen is assured of religious freedom and security for life and property.
The session, held in the old assembly building under the chairman of speaker Owais Qadir Shah, so the decision moved by deputy Naveed Anthony. Previously, the Minister of Law and Parliamentary Affairs Ziaul Hassan Lanjar had successfully sought suspension of other procedures to allow debate on the proposal.
When he spoke in favor, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah remembered the Assembly’s historical role in the adoption of the 1943 decision in favor of Pakistan and hosted Quaid-E-Azam’s address of 1947.
He noted Sindh’s leading role in joining Pakistan, adding that its representatives would continue to contribute to the unity and survival of the country. With reference to Quaid-e-Azam’s obligation to protect minorities, Shah quoted contributions from Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto. Cm also hoisted the national flag in the assembly hall.
Opposition leader Ali Khursheedi supported the decision and urged all parties to respect its spirit. He warned against sectarian and ethnic bias and highlighted the need for serious attention to issues of public security.
Lanjar announced plans to establish minority tables led by SSP-Level Officers at the Sindh Police’s headquarters and IG’s office.
Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani said the protection of non-Muslims dated back to the time of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and the Rashidun Caliphate. He emphasized that Islam forbids harm to non-Muslims, adding that the minority in his constituency is treated with respect.
Deputy speaker Anthony noted that former President Asif Ali Zardari had begun National Minorities Day in 2009 and remembered Quaid-e-Azam’s August 11, 1947 speech, where he symbolically represented minorities in the national flag through the white stripe. He suggested that the constitutional expression ‘minority’ be removed to reflect equality.
The former speaker Agha Siraj Durrani emphasized that the term is a constitutional provision that could only be changed in the National Assembly, highlighting the PPP’s record of giving minorities more than five percent of the government jobs. Speaker Shah announced that a symbolic session will be held on August 14 and invite special children as guests.
MQMS TAHA AHMED KAN, PTI’s Shabbir Qureshi and MQM’s Anil Kumar and Fauzia Hameed also supported the resolution. MQM members called for constitutional removal of the term ‘minority’ and repeated the need for religious harmony. Anil Kumar said that minorities enjoy all facilities in Pakistan, as opposed to in India.
The house unanimously approved the decision before exposing the session.
