Faisalabad: March 1, 2013. (PCP) Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP) in collaboration with Global Human Rights Defense (GHRD) organized a Public forum on the theme of “Elections 2013 and Minorities Reservations” at Faisalabad. The event was organized at minority concentrated area and holds great importance in terms of minority votes and swinging the decision of elections for the candidates at general seats. The number of people participated and involved through representing different religious minorities and major stakeholders of the society and they successfully contributed in achieving the concrete objectives of the Public Forum, which were : 1.To create effective awareness about the importance of General Elections 2013 and significance of minority voters. 2. To take the opinion of the Public regards the Current Joint Electoral System and on previous Separate Electoral System. 3.To Consolidate the viewpoints and reservations of the minorities and drafting recommendations from the Public regarding the proposed electoral system. The theme “Elections 2013 and Minorities Reservations” was selected due to high number of unsatisfaction and concerns of minorities regarding the current practiced system of “selection” in the provincials and national assembly. The public forum was joined by civil society groups, political workers, religious leaders, social activists, lawyers, women workers and labors representing minorities. The program was centered to provide opportunity to the general public to speak up with their concerns, proposed ideas and suggestions regarding the Electoral System that should be practiced without any discrimination towards the minorities. The inputs given by the Public were quiet logical and obvious. During the Public forum, a “Questionnaire” regarding “Elections 2013 and Minorities Reservations” was circulated among all the participants to inquire their frame of mind. The questionnaire helped in collecting the point of view and deep observation of the public regarding Minorities Representation System in the Elections and Role of Minority Parliamentarians in a scientific way. In the forum Mr. Naveed Walter , President for Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP) shared words of thanks to all the speakers and participants. He shared his reservations on behalf of minorities and said that in the Separate Electoral System we voted only for our co-religionists and that alienated us from the mainstream. Now we can only vote for a Muslim and that is making communities disinterested in politics. He said that current leaders in the parliament are not the true representatives of minorities. If few members of community are given seats in parliament that does not mean the community has gained its political rights. He further said that the equal rights of minorities are of utmost importance because if these are achieved everything else will be solved automatically. Naveed Walter said that minorities want a Pakistan of Quaid-e-Azam(founder of Pakistan) that has peace, harmony and tolerance; where the state does not own one religion and should instead consider followers of all religions as equal citizens. He suggests that non-Muslims should be granted a double vote so that their representatives reach the Houses through a direct vote. Mr. Khalil Tahir Sindhu (MPA-Punjab & Parliamentary Secretary of law ministry) was also present at the Public forum . He shared that he is not satisfied with the joint electorate system as being currently practiced. He said “I totally disagree with this system. Although I am part of it, I am in it only to struggle for change,” he asserts. “We want parties to award us tickets (for general seats) and we will contest. This is a solution that can fill the gap that the separate electorate has created between us and the majority,” he says adding that double vote can be even better and an ideal solution of this problem. Mr. Sindhu further shared that reserved seats members are often ridiculed as ‘charity members’ by their parliamentary colleagues.In Mr. Sindhu’s view, the importance of non-Muslim voters is not yet fully understood by the parties. Mr. George Clement Ex-MNA (Member National Assembly and Ex-Parliamentary Secretary of Foreign Affairs) put light on the importance of minority voters. He educated the participants to utilize their voting rights in selecting the deserving candidate. He said that constitutionally the people of Pakistan entitle the rights to elect their leaders/candidates, he shared why minorities at present is ineligible to elect their minority representatives of their own. Mr. George Clement stress that the Constitution of Pakistan is the foundation of religious prejudice against Religious Minorities. He said the Constitution of Pakistan doesn’t represent the ideology of Quaid-e-Azam and Citizen but represents the ideology of Islam. He suggested that collectively an effort should be made in reforming all discriminatory practices against the religious minorities particularly the Current Joint Electoral System. Mr. Hashmat Barkat, advocate High Court and Ex member of District Council, shared a historical perspective of the Minorities Representations System since 1947. Mr. Barkat shared that General Elections play key role in selecting the deserved individuals/representatives who are expected to deliver work performance in the public, state and community's interest. He recommended that the system of General Elections for minorities should be made according to the demands of the minority community. He put light on the unpopular “Joint Electoral System” of minority representation in the Provincial and National Assembly. He said that dire efforts should be made to introduce a system that should entitle minorities to elect their representatives through their votes. He said it is the high time when minorities in a collective way should strive for their fundamental rights in the Elections. Mr. Raja Thomas , Ex member District Council and a renowned social activist added that minorities are isolated from the mainstream of Pakistan since its independence. He added criticism on “Joint Electoral System” as a method of producing puppet leadership. He shared this system has further weakened the minority community as those individuals are selected who doesn’t represent the needs and voice of the public. He shared, the minorities should mobilize themselves and should strengthen themselves for getting basic rights and fundamental freedoms. Rehana Yasmeen, Ex member of Union Council and Political Worker in her speech demanded dual voting rights for the minorities. He said the current system of minorities selection should be replaced with minorities elections in 2013. She urged the Government to give special consideration towards ensuring public system of minority representation in Elections 2013. She also said the reserved seats for minority women should be enhanced in order to promote basic citizen rights of the minorities in the General Elections. Fr. John Murad (Priest) also talks on the topic and showed disappointment towards the current joint electorate system. He shared that minorities of Pakistan are continuously in an experimental stage for getting fundamental prerogatives in all aspects of life. At the same, Fr. John Murad expresses his hopefulness and anticipation of the coming future regarding the transparent, legal and pure Electoral Representation System for the minorities. Mr. Robin Daniel, Mr. Habkook Gill, Younis Shahzad and other minority leaders shared their deep concerns on the system of General Elections 2013.They gave their viewpoints in the support of the Dual Voting System. They said as a nation, the minorities will be strengthened if the right of dual voting is provided to them. The different speakers gave opinion that minorities as a whole should get mobilized at one platform and should tirelessly struggle for the elimination of “Joint Electoral System” and provision of the “Dual Voting Electoral System” for them. The following recommendations were presented by the Public and the speakers: 1. The Government should introduce Dual Vote Electorate System for the Religious minorities to ensure their involvement in electing minority candidates. 2. Political parties should give party tickets and nominate them as their candidates for general seats especially in the constituencies where non-Muslim voters are sizeable. 3. The minority women should be included in the Women Reserve Seats. 4. To repeal all forms of discriminations against the religious minorities to ensure basic rights and fundamental freedom to them.