KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly on Monday unanimously adopted a resolution to mark National Minority Day and recommended the removal of the term “minority” from the Constitution in favour of language that reflects equality and dignity for all citizens.

The House, through the resolution tabled by Deputy Speaker Anthony Naveed, condemned all forms of discrimination, intolerance, hate speech, violence and any force or undue influence in matters of faith, particularly involving minors from minority communities.

The resolution recommended the removal of the term “minority” from the Constitution and demanded replacing it with language reflecting equality and dignity of all citizens.

It called upon the provincial government to ensure that any change in faith or belief identity was made only with free, informed and voluntary consent.

House calls for using inclusive language for non-Muslims in Constitution

The resolution demanded that the government protect worship places, sacred sites and cultural heritage of faith-based communities, and provide victims of rights violations with timely justice, security and rehabilitation.

The house urged the provincial government to reserve a five per cent quota in all educational institutions and a 10pc quota in all scholarships for students from faith-based communities, in addition to merit, at the provincial, federal and international levels.

The House also called upon the government to establish a provincial faith rights protection authority to monitor violations, provide legal aid and recommend policy reforms.

It also urged the provincial government to incorporate a dedicated lesson in the curriculum from primary education, highlighting the speech of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, with a specific focus on his vision and assurances regarding the rights and status of minorities.

Speaking on the resolution, CM Murad Ali Shah recalled the historic vision of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, calling Aug 11 a day that reminded the nation of the founding father’s landmark speech.

“We are gathered here in the same assembly hall where the Pakistan Resolution was first passed,” said the chief minister. “On Aug 11, 1947, Quaid-i-Azam presented his vision for running the country, declaring that everyone was free to go to their temples, mosques, or any other place of worship and that religion or belief had nothing to do with the affairs of the state,” CM Shah said.

While Pakistan achieved independence in 1947, it was in 2009 that then-President Asif Ali Zardari officially declared August 11 as National Minorities Day, Mr Shah said, adding: “Since then, we have observed this day every year, just three days before Independence Day, to reaffirm Quaid-i-Azam’s vision of equality and justice for all citizens,” he said.

Opposition Leader Ali Khurshidi said that Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah had said that sectarian prejudice should be avoided, but unfortunately, nationalist prejudice also came into play here. “This issue needs to be taken seriously,” he added.

He also referred to the accidents involving dumper trucks in the city and said that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan believed that the issue was not a linguistic or administrative issue; rather, it was a human issue.

He said that a committee was formed a few months ago and all parties had submitted recommendations to the government but they were not implemented.

Sindh Senior Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon said that while the green crescent flag symbolised Pakistan’s independence, its white portion stood as a guarantee for the rights and freedoms of minorities.

MQM-P’s Mahesh Kumar Hasija highlighted the contributions of noted members of the minority communities to the development of the province, including Seth Jaji R. Vishandas, who had introduced electricity to Karachi, earning it the title “City of Lights”.

Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani, Deputy Speaker Anthony Naveed, PPP’s Agha Siraj Durrani and Dr Sohrab Sarki, and MQM-P’s Anil Kumar, Kiran Masood, and Taha Khan also spoke on the occasion.

Later, the house was prorogued.

Murad visits temple

Earlier, CM Shah attended a gathering of different minority communities during a joint event organised to celebrate Minorities Day at Swami Narayn temple.

On the issue of forced conversions, the chief minister raised concerns about the fate of children when parents change their religion. “There are certain complexities that we need to resolve. Our religion and law do not permit forced conversions,” he said.

Later, accompanied by Sikh community leaders, the CM visited the Gurdwara.

Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2025