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| January 18, 2002 | Friday | Ziqa'ad 3, 1422 |
Little chance for minority candidates to become MPs: Christians resent joint electorate
GUJRANWALA, Jan 17: Leaders of the local Christian community criticized the government for abolishing separate electorate.
Speaking at a news conference here on Thursday, former MNA and Bishop Dr Rufin Julius said it was injustice to the minorities. It was not possible for a minority candidate representing only 5 per cent population to contest against a candidate having the support of 95 per cent people.
He rejected the government claim that the decision had been taken to give equal rights to minorities. If the government was sincere in its efforts, it should amend the constitution to allow a minority community member to become president of Pakistan.
He criticized the government for amending the constitution without any lawful authority and said the National Assembly was the real forum having the right to amend the constitution.
He said the government did not take leaders of political parties and minorities into confidence before making changes in the election system.
Dr Julius demanded that special seats for minorities in the National Assembly should be restored like women and technocrats.
FAISALABAD: Local Christian organizations, NGOs working for women rights and political leaders have hailed the election reforms announced by the National Reconstruction Bureau.
Around a dozen minority members of the Tehsil Municipal Administration and district government said here on Thursday the joint electorate system would enhance mutual understanding among all religions.
They said that new reforms introduced by the military regime would help materialize the dream of the Quaid-i-Azam.
Faisalabad Women Rights Association chairperson Shakeela Khanum said the increase in women reserved seats would play a vital role in resolving the problems faced by the women folk.
Sarsabaz Foundation Faisalabad’s chief, Azizur Rehman, said the new election system would close all doors for illiterate politicians which would change the country’s destiny.
PPP city president Imran Murtaza Khan claimed that increase in the number of national assembly seats, women seats and the joint electorate system were part of the PPP policy.
PAT information secretary Ramzan Nasir also welcomed the election reforms especially the condition of graduation for the national assembly candidate.
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