Punjab’s Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced that the government will pass the minority rights commission bill from the provincial assembly.

He also said the law minister would take necessary steps to pass the bill from the assembly after consultations.

Addressing a special Christmas function at his Model Town residence on December 21 he also announced a remission of three months in the sentences of Christian prisoners.

He further said that a solution to the problems of Youhanabad and Joseph Colony will be considered.

Other announcements were that a five per cent employment quota has been reserved for minorities and the children of minority communities are getting good public sector jobs.

He said that birth anniversary of Jesus Christ is celebrated in Pakistan with zeal and fervour and described those who attacked the church in Quetta as enemies of humanity.

The chief minister also expressed his heartfelt sympathies on behalf of the people, Punjab government and the PML-N.

Nasir Saeed, Director of CLAASUK has said the announcement is good news as it is a long standing demand of the religious minorities, and the Sindh government has already passed such a bill.
He added: “Central government has already established the Minority Rights Commission but we have hardly heard any progress and reports from the commission.”
He further said that he strongly hopes the bill will be passed by the Punjab assembly but that it was too early to say how effective it will be.