RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: A Consultative Session was convened by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) at the Grace Crown Hotel in Rawalpindi on October 25, bringing together a diverse group of local stakeholders including socio-political figures, legal experts, religious leaders, and educationists.
The District Coordinator MLDP (CSJ) Samuel Bashir extended a warm welcome to the participants and outlined the key objectives of the consultation.
The Advocacy Manager CSJ Kashif Aslam introduced the publication titled “Promises to Keep & Miles to Go” which is a critical analysis of the commitments made by political parties in their manifestos. He provided a comparative assessment of all parliamentary political parties.
Kashif Aslam highlighted the concerning trends observed over the past 15 years of democratic governance and identified the key obstacles that hindered the fulfilment of these promises.
The Executive Director CSJ Peter Jacob emphasized the need for proactive engagement with political parties. He noted that all major political parties are cognizant of the issues faced by minorities and have included them in their respective manifestos.
However, he stressed the importance of creating a strong public opinion in the preelection period.
Peter Jacob advised that during this engagement, it is crucial to advocate for the inclusion of minority issues in the manifestos, emphasizing the significance of this aspect in the committees responsible for formulating party policies and proposed actionable recommendations to address them.
The launch of the banner campaign represents a proactive step towards fostering greater awareness and inclusivity in the political landscape of Pakistan.
Meanwhile, the CSJ announced the nationwide banner campaign, initially targeting 40 districts in the provinces of Punjab and Sindh.
The slogan chosen for the campaign is “I am Pakistan Too,” and the banners will feature a distinctive white and green color scheme.
The three key issues highlighted in the campaign are: Empowered National and Provincial Minorities Commission Implementation of Article 22 A of the Constitution of Pakistan Legislation on Forced Conversion and Marriages of Minor Girls CSJ extends an invitation to all to join this campaign by showcasing these demands in your respective cities and communities through banners. This collective effort aims to shape public opinion and sensitize political parties to prioritize the rights of minorities in their manifestos as a matter of priority.
