The speakers at a consultative meeting held in Islamic Ideological Council Islamabad have raised some important points in connection with preservation of rights of non Muslim Pakistanis. They have demanded that there are many laws present for our rights but they are not fully implemented. They pointed out that police and administration officials should be sensitized about the implementation of the laws. Muslim students have been offered 50 additional marks if they study Islamic education and Quran. Non Muslim students have not been given any such opportunity.
The consultative meeting was arranged by Freedom of Religion or Belief Leadership Network and it was moderated by Ms Asiya Nasir, former MNA. Chairman Islamic Ideology Council Qibla Ayaaz presided the meeting. Prominent scholars, academicians, civil society representatives and media persons attended the meeting.
Chairman Islamic Ideology Council Dr Qibla Ayaaz noted the points and recommendations. He said that Non Muslim Pakistanis are equal citizens of Pakistan. They have complete freedom and security to all opportunities available for Muslim Pakistanis. He said that we will continue the consultations and the state of affairs will be made more and more better for non Muslim Pakistanis.
Ms Asiya Nasir said that in 1981 the United Nations adopted the resolution that all types of discrimination would be eliminated in the world. At that time two third population of the world was said to be victim of discrimination on different basis including race , religion and others.She said today after 40 years passed the discrimination is persisting though many laws have been passed to assure the rights of the minorities in the world.
Regarding Pakistan she said our issue is implementation of the laws. We at FoRB are working to bring betterment in the situation. She said Islamic Ideology Council has also done a lot of work in this direction. The purpose of this meeting is to gather the recommendations of the members who are at leading positions in their respective fields and establish an advocacy group to sensitize the society, policy makers and the bureaucracy that have to implement the laws.
Asiya Nasir said that we are working on shaping an inclusive society in which our future generations can live in harmony.
Professor Anjum James Paul from Faisalabad pointed out that Article 22 of Constitution of Pakistan says that the child will be provided with the education of his religion. But non Muslim Pakistanis’ children do not have this opportunity.
Moreover if this Article is implemented for non Muslim Pakistanis , we will require the teachers of their respective religion that we do not have. He said Muslim students can get 50 additional marks if they study Quran during education. This opportunity should be provided to non Muslim students as well. He emphasized on elimination of hateful material from the society.
Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Hamzah Shafqat and SSP ICT Farrukh Rasheed was invited to the meeting to share the reservations and recommendations but both could not attend it because of some urgent unforeseen circumstances erupted in the capital city. They sent their representatives who assured the meeting that Police and Administration is ready to address the grievances if any .
Dr Shams ul Hassan spoke on Human Rights and Policing,Prof Anjum James on Role of Education, Col R Hikmat Ullah Khattak on Human Rights, Dr Abdul Basit Mujahid, Maulana Imran Habib,Maulana Liaqat Ali Awan also shared their views.
Tazeen Akhtar 
