Minorities Advocate Demands Equal Rights in Pakistan’s 26th Constitutional Amendment


Faisalabad (PR) – October 14, 2024 – Akmal Bhatti, Advocate and Chairman of the Minorities Alliance Pakistan (MAP), has called for the removal of constitutional restrictions that prevent religious minorities from holding the highest offices in Pakistan. Speaking at a press conference, Bhatti emphasized the need to abolish discriminatory provisions in the Constitution, which exclude non-Muslims from becoming President or Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Addressing the media, Bhatti highlighted the importance of the proposed 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill, urging the government to eliminate the unequal status imposed on nearly 10 million religious minorities in the country. "A non-Muslim cannot become the President or Prime Minister of Pakistan, nor can a non-Muslim lawyer practice in the Federal Shariat Court," Bhatti pointed out. He further criticized the "undemocratic" electoral system that has marginalized minorities, adding that minority parliamentarians have remained silent while enjoying the perks of their positions.

Bhatti condemned the inaction of minority members of the National Assembly and Senate, stating that they have failed to propose any meaningful legislation to protect the rights of minorities. "Their disconnect from the minority community is extremely shameful and unforgivable," he said, adding that the major political parties have also failed to honour the trust placed in them by minority voters.

"We, the Pakistani minorities, demand amendments to Articles 36, 40, 51, 91, 106, and 203 of the Constitution," Bhatti continued, calling for an end to the constitutional discrimination that restricts minorities from holding key positions in government and living as equal citizens in Pakistan.

In his appeal, Bhatti urged key political leaders—including President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif, PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman, PTI leader Imran Khan, and others—to support the 26th Constitutional Amendment and remove restrictions on minorities. He also sharply criticized the lack of action from minority representatives in parliament, calling them "political puppets" who have failed to fulfill their constitutional roles.

"We strongly condemn their helplessness and silence at this critical time," Bhatti concluded, underscoring the urgent need for reforms to ensure equality for all Pakistani citizens, regardless of their religion.