Reservation of four seats for non-Muslims in Senate hailed

ISLAMABAD, Aug 27 (APP): Advisor to Prime Minister on Minorities Dr. Paul Bhatti has thanked President Asif Ali Zardari for signing amendment in the Senate to reserve four seats for the non-Muslims in the Upper House of the Parliament. The seats have been reserved under (Election) Rules 1975 in compliance with provision in the 18th Constitutional Amendment in the Senate. In a statement here, Dr Paul said the bill was moved by former Federal Minister for Minorities Shahbaz Bhatti and his dream has come true today to get four seats reserved in the Senate for minorities. The Advisor said this is a precious gift of the people’s government for the minorities’ community as this is for the first time that Senate will also have reserved seats for the non-Muslims. Under the 18th Constitutional amendment Act 2010, four seats for non-Muslims, one from four provinces have been reserved in the Senate who will be elected by the members of each Provincial Assembly from the next Senate Election. The Advisor also felicitated the minorities for having four seats reserved in the Senate with the efforts made by Shahbaz Bhatti and expressed hope that the minorities will play a due role in the development of the homeland.