ISLAMABAD, Nov 5: The All Pakistan Minorities’ Alliance (APMA) has condemned the inclusion of the alliance chief’s name in the Exit Control List (ECL) and warned the government against “harassing” the minority leaders.

The APMA members held a press conference at a local hotel on Wednesday and said the alliance chief, Shehbaz Bhatti, was receiving death threats for raising voice for the rights of the minorities.

The APMA members also highlighted discrimination, victimization and problems faced by the minorities at different forums.

Demanding removal of Mr Bhatti’s name from the ECL, they said this action was an abuse of human rights.

They said the APMA members had complete confidence in Mr Bhatti’s leadership. The alliance can not afford to loose the only man, who has been fighting for the cause of minorities, they added.

The APMA president, Balochistan, Michael Javed, said for the last 18 years, Mr Bhatti had been struggling for the rights of the minority members.

He said in last general elections, the government strongly opposed APMA’s alliance with Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).

PPP MNA Fauzia Wahab said minorities were being marginalized in the country. The government tries to crush the minorities whenever they want to exercise their rights, she added.

The APMA members warned that they would launch protest movements and approach local and international courts for justice, if the government did not pay heed to their demands.

On the occasion, MNA Ramesh Lal shared problems being faced by minority members in Larkana.

He said Dewali fund, which was Rs1 million, had been cut to Rs300,000. Three other schemes amounting to Rs1.6 million had been withdrawn after being approved, he added.