Report: FT Correspondent:
ISLAMABAD — The Parliamentary Caucus on Minorities, convened by Senator Danesh Kumar, reviewed minority rights, implementation of the 5% recruitment quota and workplace discrimination across federal ministries.
The meeting was attended by MNAs Ramesh Lal, Naveed Aamir, Ms. Neelam and Minister of State Kesoo Mal Kheal Das, along with senior officials from the Ministries of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony and Human Rights.
The committee expressed strong displeasure over the absence of the Secretary Establishment Division and Chairman NHA, issuing a final warning and directing them to attend the next meeting. Senator Danesh Kumar said the committee would maintain zero tolerance on the matter and could initiate a privilege motion.
The committee also noted incomplete documentation and missing quota figures, deferring two agenda items and directing officials to submit complete records before the next session.
DG Human Rights said constitutional provisions and Establishment Division directives provide for carrying forward unfilled minority quota seats, but implementation remains a major challenge.
MNA Ramesh Lal rejected claims of a shortage of qualified minority candidates, while Senator Danesh Kumar raised concerns over discriminatory recruitment advertisements, particularly those restricting certain low-grade jobs to non-Muslims.
The Ministry of Human Rights proposed a centralized data portal, special recruitment drives, age relaxation and targeted publicity to clear the quota backlog.
Senator Danesh Kumar directed that the recommendations be included in the official minutes and instructed all concerned Federal Secretaries to personally attend the next meeting with updated figures.
