Islamabad (TNS) In a move to carry forward the mission of former Federal Minister for Minority Affairs, the late Shahbaz Bhatti, a new political party named “Shahbaz Bhatti Workers Movement Pakistan” has been officially announced along with its 13-point manifesto.
Prominent Christian leader *Basharat Khokhar* will serve as the party’s Chairman, *Nadeem Matto* has been appointed Vice Chairman, *Daud Bhatti* will serve as Secretary General, and *Joshua William* has been named Finance Secretary.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad via telephone from France, Chairman Basharat Khokhar said the party’s formation on the occasion of Minorities Day symbolizes the commitment of minorities to play a full role in Pakistan’s progress and development. He stated that the party aims to promote interfaith harmony and fight for the rights of all marginalized segments of society, in line with the vision of Pakistan’s founder, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and the mission of the martyred leader Shahbaz Bhatti.
The new party will work to address pressing issues such as political polarization, terrorism, sectarianism, and forced religious conversions. The central office of the party has been established in Islamabad, and a delegation of lawyers will formally contact the Election Commission of Pakistan next week to initiate the party’s registration process. Organizational structures will also be established soon in all four provincial capitals, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, with district-level offices to follow. A nationwide organizational tour schedule is being prepared.
Speaking alongside the Chairman at the joint press conference, Vice Chairman Nadeem Matto, Secretary General Daud Bhatti, and Finance Secretary Joshua William emphasized that Shahbaz Bhatti Workers Movement Pakistan believes in promoting peace through capability and manifesto rather than personal attacks or character assassination, as practiced by some other political entities.
*Key points of the 13-point manifesto include:*
* Collaborating with national institutions for Pakistan’s development, prosperity, stability, and security.
* Taking practical steps to prevent the misuse of religion-based laws.
* Uniting, organizing, and mobilizing scattered political and social organizations of minorities.
* Creating national and international educational opportunities for minority students.
* Preventing forced religious conversions and abductions of underage minority girls.
* Ensuring a 5% job quota for minority youth in all national institutions.
* Strengthening democratic systems and promoting religious tolerance in collaboration with all political parties.
* Eliminating political and social discrimination against all religious minorities.
* Combating extremism, religious intolerance, prejudice, and sectarianism.
* Raising public awareness against terrorism to build a peaceful society.
* Ensuring protection of minority worship places and properties.
* Defending the basic and human rights of youth, laborers, farmers, students, women, and religious minorities.
* Advocating for separate elections for minorities, proper constituency demarcation, and an increase in minority representation in the National Assembly, Provincial Assemblies, and Senate.
Basharat Khokhar concluded by reaffirming that the party will dedicate itself to creating an inclusive, tolerant, and peaceful Pakistan where all communities can thrive.
