KEY POINTS
- The Parliamentary Caucus aims to give minority communities a unified platform
- Chairman Senate emphasised his commitment to inclusivity
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani on Monday announced the creation of the upper house’s first-ever Parliamentary Caucus on Minorities, aimed at strengthening representation and advancing the rights of minority communities in the country.
The forum, established on the International Day of Minorities, will include senators and members of the National Assembly.
While the National Assembly has long housed several active caucuses, including the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus and those focusing on narcotics control and child rights, the Senate has traditionally lacked such dedicated forums.
The caucus will be inclusive in structure, bringing together senators and members from the National Assembly, with the latter to be nominated by the Speaker of the National Assembly.
The initiative emerged in response to persistent demands from senators representing various minority communities, highlighting the need for a unified voice in policymaking.
Chairman Senate Gillani, no stranger to the cause of minority rights, underscored his commitment to inclusivity. “The welfare and empowerment of women and minorities have always been among my top priorities,” he affirmed.
Recalling his tenure as Prime Minister, Gillani reflected on the steps taken under his leadership to integrate marginalised groups into national development frameworks. “It’s not just about representation; it’s about meaningful participation,” he noted.
One of the most tangible reforms hinted at in Gillani’s address was a proposal to increase the quota for minorities and women in public sector jobs.
