City
Epaper

Pakistan tells minorities they can't be PM, President

By IANS | Published: October 04, 2019 12:08 AM

For all its criticism of India for denying rights to minorities, Pakistan's parliament has shot down a minority Christian member's constitutional amendment bill seeking to allow non-Muslims to become Prime Minister and President of Pakistan.

Open in App

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has been strident in his attack on India, alleging that New Delhi is denying Muslims their fundamental rights and that it is attempting to change the demography of Muslim-majority Kashmir valley.

However, in his own National Assembly, the House with majority voice, blocked minority member Dr Naveed Aamir Jeeva's attempt to introduce the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2019.

Jeeva sought an amendment to Article 41 and 91 of the Constitution to allow non-Muslims to become Prime Minister and President of Pakistan.

But Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad opposed the proposed legislation, saying that Pakistan is an Islamic Republic where only a Muslim can be elevated to the slots of President and Prime Minister.

He maintained that minorities in Pakistan are enjoying complete freedom, security and their rights are being protected.

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) member Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali appreciated the stance taken by the minister, saying that "no law against Islamic values and teachings can be passed, introduced or even debated in the parliament".

The deliberations of Pakistan's National Assembly on Wednesday are another attempt to tell the minorities of Pakistan that they can never aspire to the highest position in the country.

India, conversely, has had two Muslim Presidents, Zakir Husain and Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed. Mohammad Hidayatullah for a time was the acting President. Hidayatullah not only served as the Vice President of India, he was also the 11th Chief Justice of India. Mohammad Hamid Ansari served for 10 years as the Vice President of India.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: pakistanindiaNational AssemblyHidayatullahImran Khan
Open in App

Related Stories

NationalPresident Droupadi Murmu Rejects Mercy Petition of Pakistani Terrorist Mohammed Arif Convicted in 2000 Red Fort Attack Case

NationalJammu and Kashmir: Suspected Pakistani Terrorist Killed by Security Forces in Kathua; Encounter Breaks Out in Doda

CricketPAK vs CAN, T20 World Cup 2024: Pakistan Bowlers Restrict Canada to 106/7 in Do-or-Die Clash

CricketPAK vs CAN, T20 World Cup 2024: Pakistan Win Toss, Elect to Bowl First Against Canada

CricketReal or Fake? Umar Akmal Flaunts Abs on Social Media Amid Criticism Over Pakistan's Fielding During T20 World Cup 2024

International Realted Stories

InternationalPakistan: Donkey population booms as economic growth faces setback

InternationalMoS Kirti Vardhan Singh leaving for Kuwait to oversee assistance after tragic fire incident

InternationalIndia to participate in Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland; representative not yet decided: MEA

InternationalReport highlights worsening human rights situation in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

InternationalBoth Israel and Hamas committed war crimes in Gaza: UN