Lahore: December 8, 2016. (PCP) The political, social and religious leadership of the minority communities and the civil society in a Press Conference held under the auspices of Rwadari Tehreek (a non-violent social movement) on December 8, 2016 at Lahore Press Club has called upon the Punjab Assembly to pass the private bill for the establishment of Punjab Minorities' Rights Commission which was moved by Mr. Shehzad Munshi MPA on 23 November 2016. The Press Conference was presided by Chairman Rwadari Tehreek Samson Salamat, and was addressed by Shehzad Munshi MPA, Samuel Pyara (President Bright Future Society), Tariq Siraj Advocate (Chairman Mutehida Masihi Party), Pervaiz Masih (President United Christian Federation- Canada), Sadia Sohail MPA (PTI), Shunila Ruth MPA (PTI) Kanji Ram MPA, Shakeel Markus MPA, Pastor Emmanuel Khokhar (Senior Pastor of Church of Pakistan), Rev. Father Francis Gulzar (Vicar General Catholic Diocese of Lahore), Rizwan Gill Advocate (President Rwadari Tehreek Lahore), Naseer Ahmed (PPP Human Rights Wing). Addressing the Press Conference, Chairman Rwadari Tehreek appreciated the move by Mr. Shehzad Munshi MPA and said that "there has been sever incidents of violence and discrimination against religious minorities in Punjab since 1980s, therefore the establishment of Minorities Commission was a longtime demand of the minorities’ communities and the civil society". Mr. Samson Salamat added that "as per the directions of the Supreme Court Judgment regarding Minorities of 2014, the provincial law-making bodies are bound to establish Minorities Rights Commission and since Sindh Assembly has already passed the similar bill, therefore there is no reason to keep this important move on a hold. Therefore we appeal to all the members of Punjab Assembly to support and pass this bill without any delay for steps to safeguard religious minorities’ rights and end discrimination against them While giving the details of the Bill Mr. Shehzad Munshi MPA said that "the preamble of the draft of the bill says that it is aimed at establishing a commission to provide a platform to look into various grievances of the communities of religious minorities and to monitor and suggest a mechanism for accelerating the pace of the socio-economic development of these communities". The establishment of the Punjab Minorities’ Rights Commission would reiterate the values of religious harmony, tolerance, respect, and peace being the inherent part of the process of the creation of Pakistan. Functions of the proposed commission would include examining policy, programmes and other measures to be taken by the government on issues relating to equality of minorities, their empowerment, protection, political participation, representation and education. The commission would also review all laws, rules and regulations affecting the status and rights of minorities, and would suggest repeal, amendment or new legislation essential to eliminate discrimination, safeguarding and promoting the interest and welfare of minorities and achieving equality before law in accordance with the constitution and obligations under international covenants and commitments. The commission would develop and maintain interaction and dialogue with non-governmental organizations, experts and individuals in society and also maintain an active association with similar commissions and institutions in other countries for collaboration and action to achieve equality of minorities at all levels. The structure proposed for the Commission in the bill says that it would consist of a chairperson having demonstrated knowledge of or practical experience in matters of rights of religious minorities and should be from any of the minority communities with at least 15 years of work experience. The commission would comprise 11 government-nominated members from amongst persons of eminence, ability and integrity as well as having demonstrable knowledge of or seven years’ practical experience in matters of rights of minorities in particular and human rights in general. Six of the members should be people belonging to religious minorities. The bill proposes 33 percent representation of women members, one representative of the youth, one of lawyers and two activists from the civil society.