- Giving a week’s time to govt, SC reiterates its order for amendment in Hindu Marriage Act, establishment of task force for security of minorities’ places and 5% job quota
Hearing a petition to evaluate the implementation of June 19 orders for minorities’ protection, a three-member Supreme Court (SC) bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Nasirul Mulk Wednesday expressed annoyance over government’s failure to ensure minorities’ rights and directed it to present a report over Hindu Marriage Act’s amendment within a week.
“No compromise can be made on minorities’ rights and the provinces should ensure protection of their places of worship. It is regretted that the government only starts the implementation of court orders when the case hearing draws near,” the CJP said, expressing annoyance over the delay when Deputy Attorney General (DAG) Sohail Mehmood told the court that the Law Ministry has sent Hindu Marriage Act Draft Amendment Bill to prime minister in the form of summary for his approval just two days ago.
“The Act be amended else the court will act against the responsible,” the CJP directed.
Pakistan Hindu Council Patron-in-Chief Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, DAG Sohail Mehmood, provincial attorney generals and others appeared in to the court. The government was asked to submit report on minorities issues related to Hindu Marriage Act, Task Force for Protection of Minorities Places and 5 per cent job quota.
During the hearing, the provinces presented reports on implementation of court’s orders in the court.
The Punjab government said that meeting of minorities leaders with the Punjab chief secretary has been arranged and he has assured addressing all the matters, including that of the task force.
The Sindh government said that Sindh Cabinet Meeting was held on February 6 in connection with the implementation of court order and Sindh chief minister has ordered for implementation of court’s orders with regard to Hindu Marriage Act.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government told court that the federal government had promised to provide Rs 100 million under endowment fund but this amount has not been provided so far.
The court sought report of all the incidents from Sindh government when Hindus’ representative Ramesh Lal told the court that desecration of minorities’ places of worship was continuing despite meeting with Sindh chief minister. Lal added that only the Balochistan government has implemented the court order fully.
The court while seeking progress reports from federation and provinces adjourned the hearing of the case till March 11.
