Lahore: Rwadari Tehreek Pakistan today launched the Political School for Minority Youth at NCCP, Lahore, opening a six-month programme (October 2026 to April 2027) to prepare young people from religious minority communities to take part in Pakistan’s politics as informed, organized and confident citizens.

Pakistan was founded on a promise of equal citizenship, and the Constitution guarantees equality, freedom of religion and belief, and the safeguarding of minorities legitimate rights and interests. However, in practice, the distance between that promise and political reality remains wide. The offices of President and Prime Minister remain closed to non-Muslims.

The ten reserved minority seats in the National Assembly, unchanged since 1985, are filled through party lists rather than elected by minority voters themselves, so those who sit on them answer to party leaders more than to the communities they are meant to represent and same scheme is applied in the provincial assemblies.

Hate speech, online polarization, recurring mob violence and attacks on minority communities and places of worship have taught many young people that politics is dangerous or simply not for them. The outcome is a generation of capable young citizens shut out of political education, mentorship and the networks through which leaders emerge. 

Under the slogan “Learn Politics, Understand Your Rights, Raise Your Voice, Participate & Lead” young people from different minority communities will attend interactive sessions. These sessions will cover an extensive course, projects, interactive activities, and case studies. Participants will meet political and civic stakeholders, visit political spaces, develop community initiatives, and jointly write a Minority Youth Democratic Charter. University students and young professionals belong to religious minority communities will join an alumni network for continued support.

Rwadari Tehreek Pakistan stands for equal citizenship for every Pakistani, regardless of faith. It calls on the state and political parties to make Articles 20, 25 and 36 of the Constitution a lived reality, to give minority communities a real say in choosing those who represent them, to open party tickets, structures and leadership to minority youth and women, and to act firmly against hate speech, mob violence and discrimination. Political education is the first step: a community that knows its rights and understands the political system cannot be easily sidelined.

Chairing the Orientation Session, Samson Salamat, Chairman of Rwadari Tehreek Pakistan who led a discussion on the socio-political and human rights situation facing minorities said:

“Minorities are not guests in this country, they are sons & daughters of the soil and should be entitled to equal rights with an equal access to the state institutions and power corridors. It is important to understand that the Rights, which exist only on paper protect no-one unless there isn’t effective implementation and in case of minorities it’s important factor in case of Pakistan.

Our young people must understand how state structures work, how decisions are made and how to take part with confidence in politics and state affairs.

The Political School for Minority Youth is a step in that direction.”

Presenting the purpose and six-month journey of the school, Program Organizer Laiba Imran said:

“Many of us were never taught how politics works, yet politics shapes our schools, our livelihoods and our safety. This school begins with a simple belief: when young minorities understand their rights and learn to speak, organize and lead, democracy becomes stronger for everyone.”

Rwadari Tehreek Secretariat Incharge, Nosheen Khalid welcomed the participants and introduced the school. In an open floor moderated by Nosheen Khalid and Laiba Imran, participants were asked whether they are interested in politics, and, if not, how they would identify the problems they face when decisions affecting them are made politically.

Rwadari Tehreek Pakistan believes that no democracy is complete without inclusion and hearing the genuine their concerns and giving them effective representation. By investing in minority youth today, the Political School for Minority Youth is looking forward to build informed, peaceful and principled leaders who will strengthen representation, social cohesion and democratic participation in Pakistan.