KARACHI, May 19: For the first time in the history of Sindh, a convention of scheduled castes living in the province is being organized here on May 22.

This was stated by Sindh Minister for Auqaf, Ushr, Minorities and Religious Affairs, Sardar Manzoor Hussain Panhwar while addressing a press conference here Friday.

He said Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim would be the chief guest at the convention for which day-long programmes have been chalked out, including traditional rituals like Bhajan etc.

He said the convention is being held to give a sense of confidence to scheduled caste people, who mainly are Bagris, Bheels, Koolhis, Bhengwars etc. and also give them a sense of participation as citizens of Pakistan.

Sardar Manzoor Hussain said never in the past, such a step had been taken to look after the welfare of minorities, specially the scheduled cast people.

The objective of organizing the convention is to make them realize that they too are as important as other citizens of Pakistan and get them due respect as enjoyed by other minorities, the minister said.

Sardar Manzoor said at the convention, the problems of scheduled castes would be highlighted and Sindh chief minister and the federal government would be requested for taking welfare measures for these communities.

The minister said these people live almost in every district of Sindh while in Karachi they live in slums of Machhar Colony, Malir and city's outskirts.

To a question, the minister said his department spends Rs 10 million on minorities, but these are meant for repair and renovation of their places of worship, like temples, Churches, Shamshan Ghat etc. and it is spent through their MPAs.--APP