Pak Senate reserves seats for minorities

Pakistan has reserved four seats for minorities in its Senate whose strength will climb to 104 from 100 under the landmark Constitutional reforms package, a move lauded as "people-friendly" by the community which so far had no representation in the upper house of Parliament.

The 18th Constitutional Amendment Bill, which stripped President Asif Ali Zardari of his sweeping powers, was passed by both the National Assembly and Senate recently.

It also increases the strength of the Senate or upper house of Parliament from 100 to 104 and the new seats have been reserved for members of minority communities from the four provinces.

All Pakistan Minorities Alliance leader Prince Javed expressed gratitude to the government for giving representation to the minorities in the Senate.

Thanking President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Minorities Affairs Minister Shahbaz Bhatti, Javed said the minorities welcome such "people-friendly acts of the government."

Other leaders of minority communities, including Salman Prince, Chost Yar Khan of Kalash, Hardiyal Singh, James Shafi and Chaudry Azam Gill, too welcomed the move.

The minorities earlier had no representation in the Senate, which was a "no go area" for them, the leaders said.
They added that August 11 has been declared Minority Day in Pakistan and prayer rooms have been established in all prisons for members of minority communities.