June 29, 2006	Thursday	Jumadi-ul-Sani 2, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, June 28: As many as 1,250 minority councillors from all districts of Punjab on Wednesday joined the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (Apma) and demanded equal share in development funds, honorarium, offices and opportunities to carry out their responsibilities.

According to a statement, Apma also announced the establishment of the ‘Council for Minority Councillors’ to facilitate them in discharging their responsibilities.

Apma Chairman Shahbaz Bhatti, while speaking at a reception given in honour of the 1,250 councillors, said minorities had always played a vital role in the development and progress of the country.

However, they had been neglected in every sphere of life, he added.

Mr Bhatti asserted that minorities were committed to the sovereignty of the country, but they would not accept treatment as second rate citizens. He called for swift solutions to problems which minorities faced.

Discrimination and victimisation on religious grounds, caste and creed were against democratic norms, he said.

Mr Bhatti said Apma was committed to promoting religious tolerance, human equality, social justice, religious freedom, democratic culture and rights of oppressed and marginalised communities of Pakistan.

He appealed to all political parties to pledge their support for attaining equal rights for minorities.