FAISALABAD – Minorities Alliance Pakistan Chairman Advocate Akmal Bhatti vowed to raise its voice for justice, religious freedoms, democracy, the right to vote, and against human rights violations.
Speaking at the 14th martyrdom anniversary of Shahbaz Bhatti in Faisalabad, the chairman said no minority individual has been given representation in judicial appointments, including the Judicial Commission, which makes it clear that key sectors, departments, and policymaking institutions of the country are no-go areas for us. In the mixed electoral system, preferred and unpopular individuals are favored, and in assemblies, a significant number of women and minority representatives spend their parliamentary term defending party interests.
Despite all the measures, half of the country’s population remains deprived of their true and chosen representatives, which is contrary to democratic values, fundamental principles of the right to vote, and a violation of human rights, Akmal said.
Akmal remembered Shahbaz Bhatti as representative of Quaid-e-Azam’s liberal and secular thinking and a symbol of peace and stability. He also laid the foundation for a great revolutionary movement for minorities to play an effective political role. He presented Pakistan’s better and more transparent face to the outside world.
He further said they would complete Shahbaz Bhatti’s mission and gave safe and prosperous future to the oppressed and marginalized minorities, thus making Pakistan’s name shine.
The real development of Pakistan lies in granting equal rights to underprivileged minorities and including them in the national mainstream.
He called for amending clauses in the constitution that create division and discrimination among the Pakistani people, and align them with the United Nations Charter and international human rights declarations so that the development and construction of Quaid-e-Azam’s great Pakistan can be achieved.
Akmal also lashed at enacting laws to stop the forced conversion of underage girls. Under the guise of protecting sensitive religious laws, the exploitation of innocent Pakistanis by religious extremists and fundamentalists should be stopped.
Legal action should be taken against those who register cases under sensitive religious provisions to exploit and gain personal benefits, and the public should be protected from terrorists and conspiratorial elements, he said.
Several other leaders including Shamon Gill, Major Karamat Gill, Sarfraz Gill, Sadaf Adnan Saba Anil, Pastor Tahleel, and other leaders paid tribute to Shahbaz Bhatti at the event.
