Lahore: February 1, 2013. (PCP) Pakistan’s Religious minorities, women, transgender and other marginalized sections of the society have demanded their effective representation and participation in the overall political process, especially in the upcoming elections. Awarding the representation to religious minorities in the Senate or merely increase of seats in the National and Provincial Assemblies shall have very little effect unless the issues of religious discrimination, hate and marginalization of the weaker segments of the society are not addressed and solved. These demands were presented in the Open Forum titled “Elections 2013: Effective Participation of Religious Minorities and other Marginalized Groups” held under the auspices of the Centre for Human Rights Education on February 1st, 2013 at Lahore Press Club and was participated by Human Rights Defenders from different parts of the country, transgenders, students and members of civil society organizations. Mr. Akram Masih Gill-State Minister for Interfaith Harmony was the Chief Guest at this occasion while the speakers included Begum Zakia Shah Nawaz-Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab, Mr. Rana Aslam-Deputy Director Elections (Election Commission- Punjab), Mr. Naeem Shakir-Member Central Executive Committee Awami Worker Party, Ms. Amna Ulfat-MPA of Pakistan Muslim League (Q), Mr. Farooq Tariq-Secretary General Awami Worker Party, Ms. Shamsa Ali- Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf, Aashi Butt, President Beghar Foundation for Shemales and Mr. Samson Salamat Director of the Centre for Human Rights Education, Lahore. Mr. Samson Salamat said that “democracy can strengthen in the country with the effective participation of the marginalized communities of the society, therefore the political parties and other stake-holders need to adopt an inclusive approach at all levels to ensure the participation and representations of the marginalized”. Mr. Samson Salamat expressed his concerns over the deteriorated situation of the religious minorities and other marginalized communities of the countries and demanded that immediate steps are required to stop religious discrimination and marginalization and to stop bloodshed in the name of religion”. He further added that the grievances of the people of Baluchistan should be addressed concretely and immediately to ensure their full participation in the next general elections. State Minister Mr. Akram Masih Gill appreciated the joint electorate system and considered it important to enhance interfaith harmony in the country. Our country is facing serious crises and therefore there is a need to adopt a national policy to counter the challenges especially to counterb terrorism. Mr. Akram Gill emphasized that the vision of the Founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah should be our guide to run the country which He gave us in his address to the Constituent Assembly on August 11, 1947. Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab Begum Zakia Shah Nawaz said that men, women and transgenders are equal and should be treated equally because the culture of equality can take Pakistan to a better position in the world. She emphasized that education is very important to uplift the weaker segment of the society. Mr. Naeem Shakir, Advocate and renowned human rights activist said that religion should be separate from the state affairs and should not be used for political benefits because it promotes religiously motivated violence and terrorism as we have experienced in Pakistan. The equal treatment in the constitution and in the social practices is important for any democratic society, He added. Mr. Farooq Tariq, General Secretary Awami Workers Party expressed his grave concerns on the deteriorating situation of religious minorities, and particularly mentioned about the abduction and forced conversion of Hindu Girls and violence against Christian, Ahmadis on the pretext of Blasphemy Laws. For the protection and promotion of the rights of the religious minorities, the religious discrimination should be abolished from the Constitution, Laws and policies and hate material should be taken away from the syllabus, He added. Deputy Director Elections Rana Aslam briefed about the steps taken by the Election Commission of Pakistan to ensure the participation of transgenders, women and minorities. Member Provincial Assembly Amna Ulfat said that the parliamentarian should ensure their maximum efforts for legislation which is in favour of the weaker communities. Representative of the Shemale community Asshi Butt said that “we are ready to participate in the general elections and therefore the political parties should award us their party membership and party positions as well party tickets also to ensure our representation in the parliament. The participants in the end unanimously resolved that • the political parties should clearly announce their policy before the next general elections to address the issues related to the protection and promotion of the rights of marginalized sections of the society. • The political parties should award party tickets to women on general seats. The issues of ban on women’s vote casting are very serious and should be addressed immediately. The election should be declared null and void where the ban on women’s vote casting is observed. • the parties should open party membership to the members of the transgenders community and should also wherever possible award party ticket to contest elections or bring them on special seat for the parliament. • In order to ensure the true participation of the people of Baluchistan in the next elections, the grievances of the people of Baluchistan should be addressed immediately. The issues such as enforced disappearances, target killing, backwardness in terms of developments should be addressed on priority basis.