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Home  » News » Pak minorities call for end to 'discriminatory' laws

Pak minorities call for end to 'discriminatory' laws

Source: PTI
August 12, 2003 16:54 IST
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The All Pakistan Minorities Alliance has asked the government to abolish all "discriminatory articles, sections and statutes" in the Constitution to ensure equal rights to religious minorities.

Speaking to reporters in Islamabad on Tuesday, APMA chairman Shahbaz Bhatti said these "discriminatory and draconian" laws were increasing the sense of insecurity and fear among the religious minorities and damaging the image of Pakistan.

"These laws are contradictory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and negate the founding principles of Pakistan," he said and added that the blasphemy law was often misused against non-Muslim citizens.

Bhatti said the APMA has formed a special committee of expert constitutional lawyers who would examine all discriminatory  laws and articles and make a draft for legislative reforms, which would be presented through minority parliamentarians in the parliament.

The APMA chief also demanded that the government recognise the role of minorities in the creation of Pakistan and include it in textbooks.

 

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