Pak SC orders formation of national council for minorities' rights

The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) on Thursday ordered for the constitution of a national council of minorities' rights.

In a 32-page decision, Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jilani also ordered federal and provincial governments to ensure a quota of minorities in employments in all services.

The apex court said that the function of the proposed council would be to monitor the practical realisation of the rights and safeguards provided to the minorities under the Pakistan Constitution and law.

The council would also be mandated to frame policy recommendations for safeguarding and protecting minorities' rights by the provincial and federal governments.

The apex court also ordered the formation of a special task force to protect minorities' worship places, saying, "Special Police Force [to] be established with professional training to protect the places of worship of minorities," the Dawn reported

The proposed task force would devise a strategy to ensure protection of minorities' rights.

The order further stated that law enforcement agencies should swiftly take action on cases pertaining to the rights of minorities.