ABBAS KASSAR
HYDERABAD: Provincial Minister for Information, Archives and Local Govt Mr Sharjeel Inam Memon has said that around 7 Lac cusics of flood is expected in Sindh for which government is capable enough to handle.
This he said while talking to media just after visiting different protective bands of River Indus.
He said that the flood water gushing from Punjab would reduce to about 7 lac caused at Guddu Barrage and it would further come down at Sukkur and Kotti Barrages. “There is need to worry but I would urge people living in Katcha area to vacate the homes at the earliest and move to safer places or camps set up by Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA),” he said and added that the PDMA had already made necessary arrangements of tents, food and medicines.
He said he had visited various protective bands and except a few portions most of the bands have been strengthened. “The vulnerable points are being monitored and their strengthening work is in progress,” he assured.
He deplored that encroachments have appeared in the katcha area where people have constructed houses, mosques and schools. “We would take necessary measure to remove these encroachments once the forthcoming natural calamity is passed away,” he vowed.
Replying to a question he said that there was a cleanliness problem in Hyderabad for which necessary instructions have been issued. “Lifting and dumping of garbage have been out sourced,” he said.
The minister said that for the first time funds for payment electricity bills of WASA have been allocated.
Sharjeel Memon replying to a question said that PPP chief Asif Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari would also send relief goods to Punjab. “Our co- chairman is worried about the flood victims of Punjab,” he said and added the PPP workers and leaders on his instructions were working relief work in Punjab.
Taking about dharnas in Islamabad. Sharjeel Memon said “it has been an issue of egos, otherwise their constitutional demands have been accepted by the government.
He appealed to Imran Khan and Tahira Qadri to end their sit-ins and participate in relief work.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY FAILS TO ENACT LEGISLATION ON PROTECTION OF MINORITIES
ABBAS KASSAR
HYDERABAD: South Asia Partnership Pakistan (SAP PK) Sindh conducted Roundtable Meeting with Media on Saturday at a Hotel in Karachi under Project of Rights of Expression, Association, Assembly and thoughts. The main objectives of meeting were to share the performance of national assembly regarding the legislation for protection of religious minorities, to publicize the REAT Objectives among media and conduct the advocacy and lobbying for pressurizing the policy makers for legislation. The meeting was attended by Journalists of print and electronic media and members of civil society including Rochi Ram Advocate , Ravi Dawani All Hindu Panchaits , Maria Ismile, Irshad Junejo SAP PK, Shahid Jameel SAP PK.
Ms Shahnaz Sheedi Provincial coordinator of south Asia Partnership Pakistan presented the one year performances of National Assembly. She said that National assembly has consumed the 15 Hours in Year and discussed on issues of religious minorities. The national assembly only passed 2 resolution on protection of worship places and amendment in Hindu Marriage act but still no legislation for protection of religious minorities in Pakistan
Rochiram Advocate said Nawaz Sharif Government has passed the bill which was criticized and Christian communities raised voice against the bill. State has power of jurisdiction if they are fail to protect the rights. He said that constitution has some gaps which undemocratic sovereignty of state of law and will be exercised by Citizen of Pakistan. Laws are passed by parliament but finalized by Shariat Courts /Islamic law. He said that no any protection and equality exits in constitution of Pakistan.
Rafia Gulani Chairperson DDAT said that forced marriages and conversion issues are facing by religious minorities and they are under threat. She said that it is very blur pictures of human rights that religious minorities should have protection form democratic government and raise the voice for social justice
Ravi Dawani General Secretary All Hindu Panchait said that MA Jinnah said at Ali Girah University that Only Muslim League political party will be constituted for protection of religious minorities. Because it I was formed on basis of justice and equality in Pakistan. He said that US International Mission who reported the issues Pakistan. They declared the darkest year in which 700 Death of Shia communities are reported. 150 attacks of worship place and Shia Kafla are reported and other religious minorities issues are reported in Pakistan. This situation is alarming but our national assembly only passed two resolution but no legislation for protection and equal rights in Pakistan. The atrocities with religious minorities are in dangerous position. He said that kidnapping for ransom; force marriages and conversion are still in same intensity. The government has failed to provide protection and justice. The marriage act is still in process and after 18 amendment it was handed over to provincial assembly for discussion. He said that laws are not implemented in Pakistan. The Courts have failed to provide justice to victims of forced marriages and conversion families in Pakistan.
Nawab Ali Shah Zulifqar Rajpa, Saeed Srabazi , Maqbool Dal , Shahid Jameel and others also spoke on the occasion.
It may be noted here that South Asia Partnership Pakistan is striving hard for protection of religious rights of minorities in Pakistan for which government has signed number of covenants with UNO including one on cultural and political rights but very little or no step has been taken by government to honor its international obligations especially since induction of Nawaz government since May 2013 rather its laxity towards Taliban religious extremism was on rise in Pakistan where violence against Hindus and Christians let lose by religious extremists in connivance of state has forced both Hindus and Christians to leaving Pakistan for India and other countries safer for them.