Pakistani Minorities' irreducible minimum

The founder of Pakistan, Mr. Jinnah, promised all citizens of Pakistan complete equality- both in front of law and in opportunity- and unfettered freedom of religion. This has been constantly denied to the religious minorities since Jinnah's death. Today it has become a matter of fact and the issue has been forgotten.

The minorities of Pakistan cannot join the majority's struggle for democracy unless and untill the following demands are met:


1. Incorporation of Quaid-e-Azam Mahomed Ali Jinnahs 11th August speech in the constitution as Article 2-B.

2. Repeal of all discriminatory legislation against minorities in general and section 298 of the Pakistan Penal Code in particular which is contrary to basic principles of modern statehood as well as Islamic ideals of equality.

3. Repeal of the un-Islamic capital punishment provision of blasphemy law which is contrary to the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)- who forgave his worst enemies and critics. If this is not possible then extension of the death penalty provision to blasphemy against the founders of every religion.

4. Joint Electorate should continue as at present as we deem the system of joint electorate essential to safeguard the interests of the minorities . However, the reserved minorities seats in the national assembly should be increased from 10 to 30 according to the following formula:

a- 12 Seats for the Christian community
b- 4 Seats for Caste Hindu community
c- 4 Seats for Scheduled Caste community
d- 4 Seats for Ahmaddiya community
e- 3 Seats for the Sikh community
f- 1 Seat for the Buddhists
g- 1 Seat for the atheists/non-religious/agnostics
h- 1 Seat for Parsi community

These seats should constitute independent caucuses and any legislation pertaining to any community should have to be passed by a majority of the representatives of that communitys caucus.

The current system of list representation for these seats should be abandoned. Instead these representatives should be directly elected from their respective communities which each community forming a single Pakistan constituency.

5. A similar formula of seat allocation and election should be followed in each federating unit of Pakistan.

6. 16 reserved senate seats should be allocated for the minorities with the following formula:

a- 6 seats for the Christian community
b. 2 seats for caste Hindu community
c. 2 seats for scheduled caste community
d. 2 seats for the ahmadiyya community
e. 1 seat for the Sikh community
f. 1 seat for the Buddhist communtiy
g. 1 seat for the atheists/agnostics/non-religious
h. 1 seat for the Parsi community.

All these seats are additional to joint electorate. All minorities should have the right to contest on general seats.

7. Removal of all bars against minorities from becoming president and prime minister of Pakistan.

8. Atleast 4 Guaranteed cabinet posts to be filled by the minorities at the center, one of which is either interior or law.

9. A 15\% quota for minorities in all government jobs, educational institutes and other such institutions including the armed forces according to the formula below:

6\% for the Christian community
2\% for the Caste Hindu community
2\% for the Scheduled Caste community
2\% for the Ahmaddiya community
3\% for miscellaneous

10. Repeal of special privilege to Hufaz-e-Quran in form of 20 marks in merit in the local edcuational stream or similar privilege for those minorities excelling in the learning of their scriptures respectively.