ISLAMABAD – The National Assembly Standing Committee on Minorities on Saturday passed a unanimous resolution, asking the government in to increase seats for minorities in the National Assembly in accordance with the census of 1998.
Shahbaz Bhatti, minister for minorities, assured the committee that the matter would be taken up at the appropriate level. He also told the committee that a cell in the ministry was being established to monitor the implementation of the five percent quota reserved for the minorities in federal and provincial jobs.
The committee also observed a minute’s silence over the assassination of Salman Taseer and demanded the government to pursue his case properly and not let the killer go scot-free. Lauding the services of late Punjab governor for protecting the rights of minorities, the committee strongly condemned the people who celebrated his assassination and painted the killer as a hero.
Bhatti said Taseer upheld harmony and promoted the rights of citizens. Dr Mahesh Kumar Malani, chairman of the standing committee, said all committee members condemned Taseer’s killing. Later, the committee was briefed about scholarships provided to the needy students belonging to minorities and was told that criterion of eligibility was strictly followed in awarding the scholarships.
