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Minority faith groups should feel their rights are the most secure in Pakistan: Supreme Court
While wrapping up proceedings in a suo motu case pertaining to the preservation of minorities' rights in Pakistan, a three-member bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal, directed that the state make special considerations for people belonging to minority faiths at the provincial and federal levels.
"[The rights of] minorities should be taken into as much consideration as the rights of special needs children are [in policy circles]," Justice Ejaz Afzal remarked as he concluded the case, initiated in 2014 on the request of Dr Ramesh Kumar.
"They [those belonging to minority faiths] should feel as if they are given special considerations compared to ordinary citizens in Pakistan," he added. "They should feel that their rights are the most secure in Pakistan."
During the final hearing, the attorney for the government assured the court that all places of worship belonging to minority communities were being provided security. He also assured the court that the government was refurbishing Hindu places of worship and a temple in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Karak District, and reminded the court that the landmark Hindu Marriage Act had been passed earlier this year. He also assured the judges that all of the court's orders pertaining to minorities' rights were being implemented in Balochistan and Sindh as well.
During the proceedings, one of the judges also seemed to remark on recent happenings in the capital, saying that, "Even the majority seems to be in the minority now; a minority can hold us hostage anytime it wishes to."
The same judge, Justice Dost Mohammad, also directed that minorities be referred to as non-Muslims rather than minorities, as enshrined in the Constitution.
Comments (25) Closed
After reducing them from 20% to 1% in 70 years - I'll be surprised if this statement finds any believers.
A wishful thinking!
No matter what the courts say or the public may give the impression to the world, the real facts are life is hell for the minorities. At some major shops in Lahore, it is a common sight to see hate and discriminatory stickers posted aimed at a minority community not allowing them entry.
what one should feel has become a big question mark in a society where people are numb.folks...A deep sense of love and sense of belonging is an irreducible need of all people. We are biologically, cognitively, physically, and spiritually wired to love, to be loved, and to belong. When those needs are not met, we don't function as we were meant to. We break. We fall apart. We numb. We ache. We hurt others. We get sick and that is exactly what we have become...
Hope this happens
Beautiful
@GUTTED --Totally agreed !!
@Tahir A - Thanks For the true word.
Thanks Tahir for writing truth.
Way to go forward! Bravo SC Pakistan
This is the ultimate truth
This is generous, after ensuring that minorities are totally decimated in Pakistan.
Yes but unfortunately this neither happening nor going to happen.
The opposite, however, is true. Intolerance and radicalization are on the rise.
Minorities have no hope for the future.
Great statement made by the S.C.
Agree
@GUTTED Bangladesh was created from Pakistan. The minority population is around 10%. Even, in Pakistan, the minority population is around 3.5%. Your 20% number appears to be very high. Hopefully, now you understand the problem with your data. I agree with one point the minority should be treated in a much better way.
Agree
@GUTTED Thanks for your comment
i some time dont get it...on these new forums we are all very polite and sensible but out on the streets its a whole different game..and it has nothing to do with education...
Everything happening in our country appears funny, really funny.
Is this dialog taken from a film of Pakistan? Because facts are opposite and no one cared for minorities in last 70 years.
One of the main issues that needs to be addressed is that the history being taught must reflect the country's diversity and should give an accurate account of its origins that go back several millennia. Also the names of those who laid the groundwork and developed the infrastructure in pre-partition Pakistan, from which the country is still benefiting - many of whom were from the British community - must be included. This will highlight the fact that ALL the communities had (and should still have) an important role to play in the country's development, and should be given the recognition they deserve.
The situation has become so intolerable now the so called majority is threatened!
What a joke!
Minority faith groups should feel their rights are the most secure in Pakistan. If you believe that I have a gold mine I want to sell you. Should have not will have.