31-member body decides cases of financial assistance to minority community, PA told.

KARACHI -- The Sindh Assembly on Tuesday informed that a 31-member Non-Muslim Welfare Committee decided the cases of needy persons from minority communities for financial assistance after taking all necessary factors into account.

Furnishing statement and replies to the lawmakers' written and oral questions during Question Hour, Minority Minister Giyanchand Essrani said that the welfare committee, constituted under approval of the chief minister, decided the welfare matter of the minority communities.

He said that the funds were allocated to the minorities affairs department on an yearly basis under the 'grant in aid'.

The minister said that the funds were spent on repair, renovation, maintenance, rehabilitation and conservation of religious places of the minorities.

Besides, he said that financial assistance was provided to needy and poor minorities members.

In reply to a question asked by MQM-P's parliamentary party leader Rana Ansar, the minority minister said that there were 706 temples and 12 dharamshalas in the province under the minorities department.

He said that the Pakistan Peoples Party was a political party that cared for minorities. 'PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari gives the most importance to the rights of minorities,' he added.

The minister said that the welfare committee gave the department recommendations regarding deserving minorities members. 'We implement the recommendation and our effort is to give money to deserving people on merit,' he...