- PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari calls for religious, gender and economic equality in the country
- Says he will visit South Punjab on March 26
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday questioned why people belonging to minority communities weren’t being given the chance to hold important government positions in the country.
Addressing a large gathering of supporters in the largest Hindu minority district of Umerkot, Bilawal said his party wanted a Pakistan where every citizen had equal rights.
“It cannot be that Pakistan for Muslims is different from Pakistan for the minorities. It cannot be that Pakistan for men is different from Pakistan for women,” he said.
The PPP chairman was presented with traditional Rajastani headgear and smeared with colours on his face. “Asalamalikum and Namaste,” said Bilawal after he exuberantly tossed a fistful of colour in the air to kickoff celebrations.
“If a Muslim can become the president of India, then why can’t a person belonging to the minority community hold an important official position in Pakistan?” the PPP chairman asked.
Bilawal vowed to fight for the rights of minorities and Hindus in particular and work towards granting them equal status in the country.
“It is not possible for Muslims and minorities, rich and poor, labourers and businessmen, farmers and landlord, men and women to have separate statuses in this country,” he said.
“Minorities in India created a separate homeland for themselves which became Pakistan,” he said, implying that minority groups play a vital role in shaping history of a nation.
“I do not want one kind of Pakistan for Pervez Musharraf and a different Pakistan for Benazir Bhutto,” he added.
“We want a Pakistan that the Quaid-e-Azam envisioned; where the state will have nothing to do with the religion of individuals and where everyone will be free to go to their own places of worship.”
The PPP chairman also criticised the Punjab government’s Women Protection Act.
“The law introduced in the name of women did not resolve their actual issues and the weak provincial chief minister has even been compelled to make amendments in it.”
He said that the Punjab government had passed a “weak” law for protecting women against domestic violence. “This law does not really protect women. But I still want to congratulate Punjab for it.”
However, he said, ‘Showbaz Sharif’ had to bow down to pressure by religious parties over amendments to the Women’s Protection against Domestic Violence Act.
“Weak laws empower the oppressor,” he said.
He also urged the national and provincial assemblies to introduce laws similar to the ones the PPP has introduced in Sindh, such as the Hindu Marriage bill.
CELEBRATING HOLI:
Doused in the colours of Holi, Pakistan People’s Party Chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari celebrated the occasion with a large gathering of Hindus in Umerkot. Bilawal kick started the celebrations by throwing a fistful of powder at his supporters.
“I celebrated Diwali in Mithi, and I am here to celebrate Holi with you,” he said.
Calling his party progressive he said that they had always vouched for women rights. “All the other parties are putting up acts.”
Bilawal announced that he is beginning his tour of Southern Punjab on March 26 and would address a gathering in Rahimyar Khan to honour the party’s promises. “I will visit my Seraiki brothers on March 26.”
Is a good suggestion. It only can buy some more votes for PPP from the people whose hundreds of children are dying of starvation and other facilities. The party who could not provide Roti, Kapra aur Makan to millions of poor people of this country in last four decades – is playing with the sentiments of the whatever remaining supporters.
Why not to make a Hindu as chairman of Pakistan Peoples party. Mr prince make an example by doing so because you own your province and major part of our Hindu community is the citizens of Islamic republic of Pakistan belong to and residence of Sindh. Be exemplary for others too and you shall be the real Hero,
Minorities did have a non muslim prime minister and and a president. .The prime minister being benazir bhutto and the president was zardari. Both were Shia. Where as the the majority of the citizens of pakistan are sunni and muslim…It is pertinent to add that zardari is probably a hindu from his believe like for example. His practice of seeking the help of soothsayers and astrologers which are hindu practice not muslim.
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