GUJRANWALA, July 15: Former state minister for minorities Bishop Dr Rufin Julius demanded restoration of separate electoral system for minorities.

Speaking at a news conference here on Monday, he said the government had put Christians and other minorities at the mercy of major political parties. A minority candidate could not contest elections independently in the present situation, he added.

He claimed the PML(N) government which had a two-thirds majority did not change the electoral system for minorities.

He was of the view that biradari system was so strong in the country in which minority candidates stood no chance to get elected.

He said 1.2 million Christians were scattered all over the country.

He demanded that special seats for minorities should be restored as provided in the 1973 Constitution if the government persisted with joint electorates. He also demanded that minority leaders should be given an opportunity to highlight their programme on television.