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Joint Electorate reduces Christian representation in National Assembly of Pakistan |
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Karachi: April 6, 2011. (PCP) Dr. Nazir S Bhatti, President of Pakistan Christian Congress PCC have expressed his concerns |
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on appointment of Dr. Khatumal Jeewan on seat vacated after assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti in National Assembly of Pakistan by President Asif Ali Zardari, who is also Co-Chairperson of ruling Pakistan Peoples Party PPP.
“It is surprising for millions of Pakistani Christians that PPP leadership directs Senator Dr. Khatumal to render resignation from Senate of Pakistan to occupy National Assembly seat felt vacant after death of Martyr Shahbaz Bhatti who was only Christian member from Pakistan Peoples Party PPP, while a large number of Christians have supported PPP in national general elections of 2008.” Said Nazir Bhatti
The Pakistan Peoples Party PPP have given ticket to Two Hindu minority members on general seats from Sindh Province in Senate of Pakistan and Dr. Khatumal was one of them.
In National Assembly of Pakistan, on 10 reserved seats for minorities, Pakistan Peoples Party PPP was awarded 4 seats on proportional to seats in Assembly from which 3 seats were given to Hindus from Sindh province and Shahbaz Bhatti, a Christian from Punjab was only Christian.
The Christian from Punjab, where they are second biggest population after Muslims, enabled PPP to win 20 seats for National Assembly with their vote bank.
The Hindus which fall on 3rd position in population of Pakistan only have strong vote bank in three district of Sindh and can enable PPP to win 7 seats of National Assembly of Pakistan.
The Christians who are 2nd in population of Pakistan after Muslims enabled PPP to win 2 seats in urban Sindh province while PPP ignored Christian representation in National Assembly and denied them any ticket on general seats of elections of Senate of Pakistan.
“Christians had 6 seats in National Assembly of Pakistan after adoption of Islamic Republic of Pakistan constitution in 1973, when Pakistan Peoples Party PPP was led by premier Zulifiqar Ali Bhutto, and total seats of National Assembly were 210. The Christians had 4 seats in National Assembly of Pakistan in 1947, when House was of 69 seats, comprising East Pakistan and West Pakistan, while Founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah was first Governor General of Pakistan, after independence. In 1985, national general elections when 10 reserved minority seats in National Assembly of Pakistan were divided as: 4 Seats for Christians, 4 Seats for Hindus, 1 Seat for Ahmadi Muslims and one from Sikh, Parsi and others under Separate Electorate with franchise voting. In 2002, national general elections, 10 reserved seats for minorities were distributed among Muslim political parties in National Assembly of Pakistan under Joint Electorate, in which minorities were snatched right to elect their representation. The House was of 342 seats in 2002, national general elections but reserved seats were same 10 for minorities as it were in 1973” Dr. Bhatti said presenting parliamentary history of Pakistan
“I am surprised that Christians have only 2 seats in National Assembly of Pakistan when House is of 342 seats” added Nazir Bhatti
Nazir Bhatt said that it is reason why Pakistan Christian Congress PCC opposed Joint Electorate System to empower Muslim political parties to select our representation because we knew that Muslim groups will kill our representation in Pakistan.
The 2 seats in National Assembly are from Pakistan Muslim League (N) 1 and Pakistan Muslim League (Q) 1, while there is no Christian representation from Pakistan Peoples Party PPP after assassination of Martyr Shahbaz Bhatti while Assiya Nasir, A Christian women who is also member of National Assembly is not on 10 reserved seats for minorities but on reserved seats for Women from Jamiat-ul-Ulmae Islam JUI(F).
PCC have always demand increase in seats for Christians in National Assembly of Pakistan and provincial Assemblies proportional to population but House have moved from 210 in 1973 to 342 in 2008 while Christian representation have decreased from 6 in 1973 to 2 in 2008 which is alarming for 20 million Pakistani Christians.
Dr. Nazir S Bhatti demanded Dual Voting right for minorities and increase in their seats in Parliament. |
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