Minority Rights March in Karachi Set for August 10

On August 10, Karachi will host a Minority Rights March at the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) Ground to mark National Minorities Day, highlighting demands for equal treatment and protection of minority communities in Pakistan.

Karachi is gearing up for a significant Minority Rights March on Sunday, August 10, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) Ground, organized to commemorate National Minorities Day. The event, announced at a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Thursday, is led by prominent minority leaders, including Pastor Ghazala Shafiq, Advocate Luke Victor, and Sheema Kermani of Tehrik-e-Niswan, a women’s rights organization. The march aims to draw attention to the challenges faced by religious minorities in Pakistan, including discrimination and the need for equal rights under the law.

The organizers emphasized the importance of addressing systemic issues affecting minority communities. According to Advocate Luke Victor, as cited by Dawn.com, the march seeks to advocate for the enforcement of constitutional protections and the implementation of the Supreme Court’s 2014 verdict (PLD 2014 SC 699), which mandates the creation of an independent National Commission for Minorities Rights. Pastor Ghazala Shafiq highlighted the need to stop forced conversions and protect minority places of worship, a sentiment echoed by Sheema Kermani, who stressed the urgency of ending discriminatory practices. The event follows last year’s march at Frere Hall, which was confined to the venue due to security threats from religious groups, as reported by The Express Tribune.

Security remains a concern for this year’s march, with Karachi police preparing extensive arrangements to ensure safety. The decision to hold the event at the YMCA Ground comes after the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) initially revoked permission for a similar event last year due to security risks, only to reinstate it after negotiations, per Dawn.com. The organizers are determined to proceed, with Victor stating that the march will serve as a platform to demand equal representation and protection for minority workers, including sanitary staff and farmers.

The Minority Rights March underscores ongoing tensions in Pakistan regarding minority rights. With participants expected to carry placards and chant slogans, the event will likely highlight demands for policy changes to address systemic inequalities, making it a focal point for public discourse on minority protections in the country.