Summary Non-Muslim politicians are playing a significant role in the politics of Pakistan
(WebDesk) - National Minority Day is being observed across the country today. The day recalls the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah with reference of his speech and the contribution of non-Muslim communities of Pakistan.
It was on August 11, 1947 when the Quaid-e-Azam in his opening speech to the constituent Assembly said: You are free to go to your temples; you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place of worship in this state of Pakistan. You may belong to any caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the state. He also referred to Article 20 of the constitution which reads every citizen shall have the right to profess, practice and propagate his religion.
Also Read: 11th August 1947 speech: A glimpse of Quaid s Pakistan
The commendable services of non-Muslims along with their Muslim brothers, are a glorious chapter in the history of independence movement of Pakistan. Furthermore religious minorities have given a considerable contribution in different fields of the society including health, education, defense, and social welfare.
Also Read: National Minorities Day: A day to repledge the safeguard of rights for all
Acknowledging the significance of contribution of Non-Muslims in the creation and subsequently their services in different sectors of Pakistan, here is given 10 fast facts, every Pakistani must know:
1- First Non-Muslim Candidate Elected in National Assembly: In Pakistan General Elections 2018, for the first time ever in the history of Pakistan, a Non-Muslim candidate elected on the general seat in the National Assembly of Pakistan. The non-Muslim MNA-elect, Mahesh Kumar Malani, is a Hindu candidate. He secured his seat from NA-222 Sindh on the party ticket of Pakistan Peoples Party.
2- First Non-Muslim Candidate Elected in provincial Assembly: In Pakistan General Elections 2018, for the first time ever in the history of Pakistan, two of the Non-Muslim candidates were elected on the general seat in the Provincial Assembly of Pakistan. The non-Muslim MPAs-elect, were Hari Ram Kishwari Lal and Jamshoro s Giyanoo Mal alias Giyan Chand Essrani who were elected from provincial assembly seats PS-147 and PS-81, respectively again on the party tickets of Pakistan Peoples Party.
3- Joginder Nath Mandal was the first law Minister of Pakistan. He was one of the central and leading Founding Fathers of modern state of Pakistan, and legislator serving as country’s first minister of law and labour, and also was second minister of commonwealth and Kashmir affairs. He belonged to a scheduled cast of Hindus
4- After Joginder Nath Mandal, next minster Rana Chandra Singh, also belonged to the Hindu religion. He suggested the amendment to allocate at least a 5pc quota for Non-Muslims. Rana Chandra Singh also belonged to the Umer Kot from Sindh.
5- Another Hindu Minister who was given the charge of a minister was Dr. Darshan lal. Dr. Lal belongs to the Pakistan Muslim league (N). He also has served as the president of the minorities’ wing of PMLN.
6- A non-Muslim was elected from the region of Kailash belong to the creed of Kailash for the first time ever in the history of Pakistan. Wazirzada contested elections 2018 on the ticket of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
7- The most prominent Non-Muslim political leaders who are known for their services to the non-Muslim communities of Pakistan are Kamran Michael, Dr. Ramesh Lal, Mahesh Kumar Malani, Darshan lal and late Shahbaz Bhatti and late Sardar Sooran Singh.
8- Former minister for minority affairs, the Christian politician Shahbaz Bhatti and and Minister for minority affairs, Khyber Pakhtun Kha Dr. Sardar Sooran Singh were killed by unknown militants.
9- Over the last five year, the registration of Non-Muslim voters have inflated to 3.63 million from 2.77 million in 2013 as registered in electoral rolls.
Hindu voters hold first spot among the minorities accounting for almost 1.77 million voters this year compared to 1.40 million in 2013 polls.
Christian minorities who form the second-largest minority of Pakistan have higher pace of growing voters as compared to Hindus which is 1.64 million compared to 1.23 million in 2013 elections.
The number of Sikh, Parsi, Buddhist and Ahmadis voters have always grown consecutively. The out-growth of religious-minorities voters is a pragmatic development towards a betterment of the country. With more- minorities coming forth to cast their votes, it makes Pakistan a stronger democratic region.
10- Krishna Kumari Kohli, a human rights activist fielded by the Pakistan Peoples Party, became country’s first Dalit woman Senator ever in the history of Pakistan.
Also Read: Prominent members of minorities and their role in Pakistani politics
