Latest news with #GhazalaShafiq
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Minority Rights March demands legal reforms, inclusivity
Members of minority communities hold a protest rally against discrimination, marginalization, and violence faced by religious minorities at YMCA Road in Karachi on August 10, 2025. Photo: PPI Civil society activists, religious leaders and community representatives staged a Minority Rights March in the metropolis on Sunday to mark National Minorities Day, calling for constitutional reforms, legal safeguards and equal rights for all citizens. The rally, which started from the YMCA Ground and culminated outside the Sindh Assembly building, was joined by members of Christian, Hindu and Sikh communities, transgender persons, women's groups, professionals and rights activists. It was led by Pastor Ghazala Shafiq, Najma Maheshwari, Ram Singh, Bhevish Kumar, Janet Kumar, Lovek Victor and Bindiya Rana. A decorated truck displaying the marchers' demands accompanied the procession. Speakers said that Pakistan has been officially observing August 11 as National Minorities Day since 2009, yet minority communities still face discrimination, denial of basic facilities and the menace of forced religious conversions. The march's charter of demands included a minimum 10% quota for minority students in all educational institutions, removal of discriminatory content from textbooks, constitutional recognition of minorities' distinct identity, protection of places of worship and properties, criminalisation of forced conversions, amendments to personal laws, and revision of Articles 41 and 91 of the Constitution to allow minorities to contest for the offices of president and prime minister. It also sought greater political representation at federal, provincial and local levels, measures for economic empowerment, protection against misuse of religious laws, and inclusion of minorities in policymaking. Organisers described the march as an independent platform uniting minority groups and civil society to work for a pluralistic society. They urged citizens of all faiths, beliefs and backgrounds to join their peaceful struggle. The participants later submitted their demands to the Sindh Assembly and Sindh High Court through symbolic performances and artistic presentations, pressing the government to take concrete steps to safeguard minority rights. A religious group, Bazme Ghulamane Mustafa led by Mufti Mubarak Abbasi staged a sit-in near Fawara Chowk on Sunday. Addressing the sit-in, he said that they respect minorities and minorities are safe in Pakistan. Abbasi urged the members of minorities not to play in the hands of the enemies of peace and refrain from any controversial action which could hurt the religious sentiments of other people. Pakistan belongs to everyone and we are all one as its citizens, he said.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Minority Rights March in Karachi demands legal reforms, inclusivity
Members of minority communities hold a protest rally against discrimination, marginalization, and violence faced by religious minorities at YMCA Road in Karachi on August 10, 2025. Photo: PPI Civil society activists, religious leaders, and community representatives staged a Minority Rights March in Karachi on Sunday to mark National Minorities Day, calling for constitutional reforms, legal safeguards, and equal rights for all citizens. The rally, which started from the YMCA Ground and culminated outside the Sindh Assembly building, was joined by members of the Christian, Hindu, and Sikh communities, transgender persons, women's groups, professionals, and rights activists. It was led by Pastor Ghazala Shafiq, Najma Maheshwari, Ram Singh, Bhevish Kumar, Janet Kumar, Lovek Victor, and Bindiya Rana. A decorated truck displaying the marchers' demands accompanied the procession. Speakers said that Pakistan has been officially observing August 11 as National Minorities Day since 2009, yet minority communities still face discrimination, denial of basic facilities, and the menace of forced religious conversions. The march's charter of demands included a minimum 10% quota for minority students in all educational institutions, removal of discriminatory content from textbooks, constitutional recognition of minorities' distinct identity, protection of places of worship and properties, criminalisation of forced conversions, amendments to personal laws, and revision of Articles 41 and 91 of the Constitution to allow minorities to contest for the offices of President and Prime Minister. It also sought greater political representation at federal, provincial, and local levels, measures for economic empowerment, protection against misuse of religious laws, and inclusion of minorities in policymaking. Organisers described the march as an independent platform uniting minority groups and civil society to work for a pluralistic society. They urged citizens of all faiths, beliefs, and backgrounds to join their peaceful struggle. The participants later submitted their demands to the Sindh Assembly and Sindh High Court through symbolic performances and artistic presentations, pressing the government to take concrete steps to safeguard minority rights.
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Minority Rights March set for 10th
In remembrance of National Minorities Day, a Minority Rights March will be held on Sunday, August 10, from 2pm to 6pm at the YACA Ground. The event was announced on Thursday by minority leaders Pastor Ghazala Shafiq, Advocate Lovok Victor, and Sheema Kermani of Tehrik-e-Niswan, during a press conference at the Karachi Press Club,. The leaders noted that the Government of Pakistan has officially observed August 11 as National Minorities Day since 2009, and clarified that the march is a non-partisan initiative involving minority community members, social leaders, and civil society representatives, with the aim to raise awareness among citizens about their basic rights, and to unite people of different religions. They demanded that equal and quality education for all minorities be ensured in both public and private educational institutions, which they demand should have a minimum 10 per cent quota for religious minorities. Furthermore, the leaders demanded the removal of controversial content from curricula and textbooks in both public and private institutions, stressing the need to end forced conversions. Emphasising that minorities should be provided with access to healthcare, employment, and other essential facilities, the leaders noted that various programs will be held during the march to help minority communities present their rights and demands.
