ISLAMABAD – The PPP will request the government to appoint a special assistant for minorities from amongst the family of the slain Minister for Minorities’ Affairs Shahbaz Bhatti as a token of admiration and also to demonstrate a commitment to pursuing the objectives of interfaith harmony held by Bhatti, President Asif Ali Zardari said on Tuesday. This commitment was made by the president during a meeting with Bhatti’s family members and was apparently, in contrast to his earlier stance of awarding the party ticket to a brother of Shahbaz Bhatti in place of late Bhatti – a position technically against the election commission rules.
Per rules, the next candidate in line of the PPP list would automatically become an MNA on a minority seat, according to experts. President’s spokesman Farhatullah Babar said the president said the sacrifice rendered by Bhatti for the country, the PPP and the minorities community for promoting interfaith harmony and tolerance would not go in vain and would be remembered for a very long time.
“Shahbaz Bhatti was PPP’s global ambassador for interfaith harmony who was seen in the world as the party’s face of tolerance, harmony and respect for minorities in accordance with the constitution of Pakistan and the party manifesto. He was widely respected within the country and abroad and the Vatican admired him for his commitment to promote interfaith dialogue and harmony,” the president said.
