Event Title: Senator Danesh Kumar, Convener Parliamentary Committee on Minority CAUCUS Presiding over a Meeting of the Committee at Parliament House Islamabad.

Event Date: 2026-01-20

The Parliamentary Minority Caucus met today at Parliament House, Islamabad, under the convenorship of Mr. Danesh Kumar to deliberate on a range of critical issues concerning the constitutional rights, security, representation, and welfare of minority communities across Pakistan. The meeting underscored the Caucus’s commitment to ensuring equality, justice, and protection for minorities in line with the Constitution of Pakistan.

During the meeting, the agenda item regarding a detailed briefing by the Chairman, Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), on the total number of operational and non-operational minority worship places, along with reasons for their non-functionality, was deferred due to the absence of the chairman Evacuee Board Trust.

The Convener Committee emphasized that this important matter remains a priority and will be taken up in the next meeting without fail. 

The Ministry of Human Rights provided a comprehensive briefing on the National Commission for Minorities Rights Act, 2025, promulgated on 18 December 2025, which aims to safeguard and promote the social, economic, political, and legal rights of minorities. The briefing outlined the composition of the Commission, including the appointment of a Chairperson of known integrity and eminence in human rights advocacy, along with minority members from all provinces and the Islamabad Capital Territory, ensuring women representation and inclusion of dominant minority groups. The procedure for appointments through a Parliamentary Committee and the four-year tenure of the Chairperson and members were also explained. The Committee was informed that despite formal requests and reminders issued on 12 January 2026, nominations from provincial governments and ICT are still awaited.

The Convener Committee expressed serious concern over the delay and stressed the urgent need to expedite the process to uphold the spirit and intent of the Act.

The Caucus took strong notice of the briefing regarding the exclusion of minority candidates from open merit recruitment in Sindh Police over the past five years, particularly in districts such as Umerkot, Tharparkar, Mirpur, and Shahdadkot. It was highlighted that in District Umerkot, where minorities constitute approximately 57 percent of the population, not a single non-Muslim candidate was selected on open merit despite several candidates securing higher marks than those selected. Minority candidates obtaining up to 127 marks were reportedly ignored, while candidates with lower marks were selected, forcing minorities to be confined to the five percent quota. The Committee termed this practice a blatant violation of constitutional guarantees, merit, and equality.

The Convener Committee directed that complete records be submitted regarding recruitment in Shahdadkot and across Sindh, including total applicants, minority applicants, and selections made on open merit and minority quota, to ensure transparency and accountability.

The Sindh authorities also briefed the Committee on the rationalization of security arrangements at the Shankar Anand Bharti Temple Trust property in Shikarpur. While police authorities stated that the deployment was adjusted based on threat assessment, available resources, and overall law and order conditions, the Minority Caucus expressed grave concern over reports of illegal attempts to grab temple trust property and alleged record tampering by revenue officials. The Committee directed the concerned authorities to immediately take notice of such attempts, refrain from interference until final adjudication by the competent civil court, conduct an impartial inquiry against officials involved in illegal proceedings, restore and enhance security arrangements at the temple from 8 to 13 personals and ensure full protection to devotees, trustees, shevadaris, and workers.

The Convener Committee further directed the Inspector General of Police, Sindh, to appear personally in the next meeting.

A detailed briefing was also given on the kidnapping case of the minor girl Priya Kumari. The Committee was informed about extensive efforts undertaken by Sindh Police, including large-scale searches of houses and nearby villages, interrogation of more than a thousand suspects, drone surveillance, geo-fencing, use of sniffer dogs, inspections of shrines, temples, hospitals, and Edhi centers, as well as widespread public awareness campaigns through print, electronic, and social media. A cash reward of Rs. 2.5 million has also been announced for information leading to her recovery. Despite these measures, the case remains unresolved.

Convener Danesh Kumar expressed deep concern over the continued disappearance of the child and directed Sindh Police to submit concrete progress within one month, warning that failure to do so would compel the Committee to recommend handing over the case to federal law enforcement agencies.

The meeting was attended by Senator Poonjo Bheel, Mr. Kesoo Mal Kheal Das, MNA, Dr. Darshan, MNA, Mr. Isphanyar M. Bhandara, MNA, Mr. Ramesh Lal, MNA, Ms. Neelam, MNA, and Mr. Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, MNA. Kheel Das Kohistani) also attended the meeting on behalf of the Minister

The Minority Caucus reaffirmed its unwavering resolve to protect minority rights, ensure equal opportunities, and hold all relevant institutions accountable in accordance with the Constitution and the rule of law.