Ministry of Minorities (Pakistan)

The Ministry of Minorities used to be a federal-level ministry in the Government of Pakistan. The head of the ministry was known as the Minister for Minorities and was a member of the federal cabinet.

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Until September 2004, the functions of this ministry were carried out by the Minorities Wing of the former Ministry of Minorities, Culture, Sports, Tourism and Youth Affairs - but it remained underfunded for some time. This changed when it was upgraded to a fully-fledged, independent Ministry of Minorities, founded under President Musharraf.[1]

In November 2008, the government (then led by the Pakistan People's Party (PPP)) invested in a larger ministry and renamed it the Ministry of Minorities Affairs. The role of minister was awarded to a Christian activist, Shahbaz Bhatti,[2] who served in this position until March 2, 2011, when he was assassinated in Islamabad.[3]

In July 2011, the Government of Pakistan closed the Minorities Affairs Ministry as part of a decentralization plan that would see powers in this area transferred to the provinces.[4] However, a new ministry was created with almost the same remit but under a different name, the Ministry for National Harmony. Shahbaz Bhatti's brother, Paul Bhatti, was appointed to lead it, as a "Special Advisor" to the Prime Minister.[5]

In June 2013, under a newly elected government led by the Pakistan Muslim League (N), the Ministry of National Harmony was merged with a larger ministry, the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Some argue that this weakens minority representation at the highest level.[6] Others say it is a positive move to 'mainstream' minority concerns and avoid marginalisation.

References
  1. https://www.dur.ac.uk/resources/psru/briefings/archive/Brief37.pdf The Christian Minority in Pakistan: Issues and Options
  2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-08-16. Retrieved 2013-08-16.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) Pakistan’s Shahbaz Bhatti sworn in as Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs
  3. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/10/shahbaz-bhatti-obituary - Shahbaz Bhatti Obituary
  4. http://beta.dawn.com/news/640139/cabinet-approves-devolution-of-seven-ministries - Cabinet approves devolution of seven ministries, 28 June 2011
  5. http://www.fides.org/en/news/28649-ASIA_PAKISTAN_Paul_Bhatti_appointed_Special_Advisor_for_Religious_Minorities#.Ug47WNK2M8w - Paul Bhatti appointed “Special Advisor” for Religious Minorities
  6. Concern over merger of ministries


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