Pakistan: Ministry for Religious Minorities restored

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They had actually abolished it. I don’t think this serves too much, as the extremists continue to exist, non-Muslims and converts to non-Islamic religions and mixed couples are harrassed and threatened and, even when extremists attack people, normally they aren’t even convicted.

Islamabad intends to reconstitute the department that protects religious minorities. Abolished recently in a federal framework of constitutional reform in Pakistan, the ministry was headed by Shahbaz Bhatti – assassinated in March by an extremist group – it will be called “Ministry of National Harmony“, and will be entrusted to the Catholic politician Akram Gill, with a federal portfolio and rank. Encountering a group of young people, the lawmaker has asked the new generations for “greater efforts” in building a peaceful world.

In recent days, the Pakistani government approved the creation of three different ministries: National Harmony, Human Resources and Development, Professional and Technical training. The decision seems to be linked to the protests of ministers, left without portfolios following the recent reform to promote decentralization. In particular, the Ministry of Harmony will benefit from six departments and will have the task of promoting peace, tolerance and greater solidarity within society, with particular attention to interfaith dialogue.

via PAKISTAN Islamabad, Ministry for Religious Minorities restored – Asia News.

PS: Yes, the name can be considered as “neo-hippy“… 😆

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