Delegation of minorities representatives calls on CJP.

ISLAMABAD -- A 10-member minority delegation, Wednesday, called on Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Umar Ata Bandial, at the Supreme Court.

The delegation comprised of Samuel Payra (Chairman Implementation Minority Rights Forum); Rt. Rev. Bishop Fredrick John (Bishop of Karachi and Balochistan); Mr. Manzoor Masih (Member National Commission for Human Rights); Mr. Bakhtawar Shah (Kalash Community); Mr. Tariq Chaman; Mr. Sarwan Kumar Bheel (Hindu Community); Sardar Inder Jeet Singh (Member Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Community); Mr. Kashif Namet (Advocate High Court Lahore); Ms. Sonia Riasat (Human Rights Activist, Azad Kashmir) and Dr. Muhammad Shoaib Suddle (One-Man Commission on Minorities Rights at Supreme Court of Pakistan).

The Chief Justice welcomed the delegates and appreciated the contributions of the minority communities towards inter-faith harmony in Pakistan.

He also greeted them on the occasion of the National Minority Day scheduled for 11.08.2022. He briefed the delegation about the fundamental rights enjoyed by the minority communities under the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973; particularly Article 20 which guarantees every citizen the right to profess, practice and propagate his religion.

He added that the Superior Courts of Pakistan being the custodian of the Constitution and thereby the fundamental rights of the people have always been cognizant of the rights of the minorities and...