pakistan

Report underlines increase in content against minorities in textbooks

Published

1 year ago

March 31, 2023

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A Human Rights Observer 2023 fact sheet has underscored the increase in the religious content against minorities in curriculum and textbooks during the year 2022.

An annual fact sheet ‘Human Rights Observer 2023’ was issued by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) on Thursday. The report revolves around five key issues that impact the religious minorities in Pakistan, which include:

1. Discrimination in the education system

2. Prevalence of forced faith conversions

3. Abuse of blasphemy laws

4. Establishment of the National Commission for Minorities

5. Jail remissions for minority prisoners

A brief overview of the report showed that at least 2,120 individuals had been accused of committing blasphemy between 1987 and 2022. An increase has been witnessed in the aggregate abuse of blasphemy laws in Punjab in the past 36 years — above 75pc, while 52pc of the accused belonged to minorities despite their small ratio (3.52pc) in the population of Pakistan, the report said.

Furthermore, 124 reported incidents of forced faith conversions involving girls/women from minority communities were analysed which included 81 Hindu, 42 Christian, and one Sikh. Only 12pc of the victims were adults and the age of 28pc of the victims was not reported.

The fact sheet stated that no progress was made regarding providing remission to minority prisoners during 2022, despite the fact that this concession had been available for Muslim prisoners since 1978.

The establishment of the statutory National Commission for Minorities (NCM) remained pending. As per the report, a weak and lopsided draft has now been presented in the parliament in March 2023 which may become a reason for further delay and the ultimate establishment of the NCM.

The editor of the human rights observer and executive director at the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) Peter Jacob said that, “The annual fact sheet carried recommendations to address the issues along with practical steps for the realisation and protection of the rights of minorities.”

He further urged the government to take notice of these issues and enforce the human rights of minorities.

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pakistan

Ali Pervaiz sworn in as minister of state

Published

19 hours ago

May 17, 2024

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Ali Pervaiz sworn in as minister of state

Member of the National Assembly Ali Pervaiz took the oath of the office of Minister of State here on Friday.

President Asif Ali Zardari administered the oath to Ali Pervaiz in a ceremony held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, parliamentarians, and notables from different walks of life.

Ali Pervaiz was elected as MNA from NA-119 constituency of Lahore on the ticket of the Pakistan Muslim League-N in the recently held by-election.

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pakistan

Court summons Ali Amin Ganadapur in ‘illegal weapons, alcohol case’ on May 20

Published

19 hours ago

May 17, 2024

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Court summons Ali Amin Ganadapur in 'illegal weapons, alcohol case' on May 20

Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to appear in person before the court on May 20 regarding a case involving allegations of possessing weapons and alcohol.

During a hearing presided over by Judicial Magistrate Sohaib Bilal of Islamabad district and session court, the court handed a questionnaire consisting of nine questions to Ali Gandapur’s counsel, Zahoorul Hassan.

The questionnaire seeks responses from the accused regarding various aspects of the case.

Among the questions posed to Gandapur are inquiries about his awareness of the evidence and arguments presented by the prosecution during the hearing, as well as his involvement in a gathering that allegedly violated orders issued by the district magistrate on October 30, 2016.

The court seeks clarification on an incident where Gandapur reportedly fled into a forest from his car, which was subsequently apprehended by the police.

The questionnaire addresses the recovery of illegal arms, a liquor bottle, and a person identified as Allah Nawaz wearing a bulletproof jacket with an unlicensed gun in Gandapur’s car.

The court references a report from the Punjab Forensic Science Agency confirming the presence of alcohol in the bottle recovered from Gandapur’s vehicle.

The court also inquired about the filing of charges against Gandapur and the testimony provided by prosecution witnesses. the accused is given the option to present a defense under Section 340.

The case hearing has been adjourned until May 20 to allow Gandapur to respond to the questionnaire and ordered him to appear before the court in person on that date.

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pakistan

Summer vacation for schools in Punjab to start from June 1

Published

19 hours ago

May 17, 2024

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Summer vacation for schools in Punjab to start from June 1

The provincial education department on Friday announced the schedule for summer vacation across the province as above-normal temperatures hit the parts of country.

The department has issued a notification, stating that the summer holidays will be observed from June 1 to August 14. It added that all public and private schools will reopen on August 15 (Thursday).

The department has also revised the school timings to protect students and teachers from the blistering heat. As per the revised schedule, schools will open at 7:00am to 11:30am till Thursday while the classes will conclude at 10:30am on Fridays.

Meanwhile, Met office said due to the presence of high pressure in the upper atmosphere, heatwave conditions are likely to develop over most parts of the country, especially over Punjab and Sindh from 21st May and likely to convert to severe heatwave conditions from 23rd to 27th May.

Day temperatures are likely to remain 4 to 6°C above normal in Sindh and Punjab from 21st to 23rd and from 06 to 08°C from 23rd to 27th May.

Day temperatures are likely to remain 4 to 6°C above normal in Islamabad, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan from 21st to 27th May.

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