(It is rare in Pakistan that a member of a religious minority questions the founder of Pakistan as to how the country was declared a homeland for Christians, Hindus, Muslims, and others where everyone will be treated equally, but instead the minorities are being openly discriminated. She also accuses the ruling party for the murder of Shahbaz Bhatti by not providing the promised security. Ed.)
Speech of the Day
Finally, someone in the National Assembly, who has the guts to say what must be said about the assassination of Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs, Shahbaz Bhatti.
The legislator is MNA Asiya Nasir, elected on a reserved women’s seat from Balochistan, the only minority female legislator in the National Assembly and speaking the day after the murder. She holds a Masters in English literature from the Government Girls College, Quetta and a certificate in Teachers’ Training and is a member of the NGO Aurat Foundation. She has been a member of the House since 2002 when she was elected on a reserved seat for minorities. Remarkably, she is affiliated politically with the Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Islam – Fazlur Rehman (JUI-F) and was elected in 2002 (as well as in 2008) on a ticket of the ‘religious’ parties alliance, the Muttaheda Majlis-e-Amal (MMA).
A powerful speech that should be heard by all in Pakistan, especially because it raises uncomfortable truths…
(Thanks to Robin Khundkar)