Punjab Minister for Human Rights and Minority Affairs Ijaz Alam Augustine A Pakistani official announced this week a new ‘Minorities Empowerment Package’ and the creation of a task force to ensure the rights of religious minorities in the province of Punjab.
According to the Punjab Minister for Human Rights and Minority Affairs, Ijaz Augustine, the package will include new legislation and implement existing laws to assist religious minority communities.
A newly formed task force will be composed of professionals in human rights, law, and academics from a variety of religious communities, with the purpose of monitoring the implementation of human rights policies.
Mr Augustine made the announcement at the Alhamra Arts Council with the Christian Care Foundation, coinciding with Human Rights Day last week.
The empowerment package will implement religious minority quotas in jobs, education, and housing. It also looks to establish a sentence remission system and skill development trainings. The money will be taken from a Minority Development Fund worth more than $3m (€2.7m).
The minister said an action plan, drafted by the provincial Task Force on Human Rights, will aim to carry out the goals of the Punjab Human Rights Policy 2018.