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Parvez Musharraf never gave Dual Voting right to Pakistani Christian
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Karachi: November 16, 2011. (PCP) The Central Secretariat of Pakistan Christian Congress PCC issued a press note here today on claims of former President Parvez Musharraf made in telephonic address to gathering of Christian clergy in Lahore that he awarded Dual Voting right to Christians during his rule in Pakistan.
In a statement of Dr. Nazir S Bhatti, President of Pakistan Christian Congress PCC commenting on Parvez Musharraf claims termed it totally false and misleading.
Dr. Nazir S Bhatti said that former President Parvez Musharraf snatched voting right of Christians and imposed Selection on reserved minorities seats in parliament.
The Pakistani Christians were enjoying Election of their representatives on 10 reserved seats in National Assembly of Pakistan under Separate Electorate since 1985.
General Parvez Musharraf abolished Separate Electorate in 2002, and imposed Joint Electorate which empowers Muslim political parties to “select” minority representation on reserved seats.
Under Separate Electorate Christians were “Electing” their representatives with their votes while in Joint Electorate imposed by Parvez Musharraf Muslim parties are “Selecting” on reserved seats and minorities are barred to vote.
Dr. Nazir Bhatti said that Selection of minority representatives in National Assembly of Pakistan and provincial assemblies has ended voice of persecuted minorities in House and Parvez Musharraf is responsible for it.
“Only Muslims of Azad Kashmir are practicing Dual Voting right in Pakistan not Pakistani Christians because Kashmiri are electing their leaders in Legislative Assembly of Azad Kashmir and voting for National Assembly of Pakistan in their respective constituencies in Pakistan” clarified Nazir Bhatti
Pakistan Christian Congress PCC boycotted national general elections of 1985, on demands of delimitation of 10 reserved seats for transparent elections and award of Dual Voting rights for minorities that Christians may elect their representation on reserved seats and may also vote to Muslim candidates in their respective constituencies.
Parvez Musharraf instead of awarding Dual Voting right abolished minorities voting rights and now Muslim parties are nominating Christians and Selecting for parliament.
In Parvez Musharraf’s Selection system, Muslim parties are selecting Christian tools that are speaking on their Selectors voice and not raising voice for Christian rights.
Nazir Bhatti said “I appeal to Pakistani Christian clergy to concentrate on their preaching and evangelical services which are highly needed in Islamic Republic of Pakistan where Islamic clerics are converting Christians to Islam and we daily see such news items in Pakistani press”
It was delegation of Pakistani Bishops along with Martyr Shahbaz Bhatti which called upon President General Parvez Musharraf in President House in 2002, to abolish Separate Electorate demanding Joint Electorate which snatched democratic voting right to elect their representation on reserved seats and ended voice of persecuted Christians in Pakistan.
“PCC is against involvement of Bishops in Pakistani politics and Liberation Theology because we have already lost our Election right with their ill moves” said Nazir Bhatti
PCC Chief urged Parvez Musharraf to refrain from issuing false statements about minorities instead he is supposed to issue an open apology on imposition of Joint Electorate and Selection instead of Election for minorities.
Nazir Bhatti said that Selection on reserved minorities’ seats in parliament is undemocratic and demanded Election on these seats with Dual Voting right. |
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