Islamabad, Aug 12: The All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA) has asked the government to abolish all "discriminatory articles, sections and statues" in the Constitution to ensure equal rights to religious minorities. Speaking to reporters here yesterday, APMA chairman Shahbaz Bhatti said these "discriminatory and draconian" laws were increasing the sense of insecurity and fear among the religious minorities and damaging the image of Pakistan.


"These laws are contradictory to the universal declaration of human rights and negate the founding principles of Pakistan," he said and added that the blasphemy law was misused against non-Muslim citizens.

Bhatti asked the government to form a judicial commission to review the cases of blasphemy law because many prisoners had been waiting for trial under this law for years and were facing extremely hostile situation in jails.

He said the APMA had formed a special committee of expert constitutional lawyers who would examine all discriminatory laws and articles and make a draft for legislative reforms, which would be presented through minority parliamentarians in the Parliament.
The APMA chief also demanded that the government recognise the role of minorities in the creation of Pakistan and include it in textbooks.

He said APMA would make a documentary film to highlight the contribution of minorities in Pakistan's creation.
Bureau Report