Saturday, September 26, 2015

Pakistan allocates Sanitary Workers jobs only for Non-Muslims

A job vacancies advertisement of a hospital which runs by Ministry of Health of Government of Punjab Province spreads anger among millions of Christians in this province of Pakistan which invites application for “Sweepers” only from non-Muslims while other job opportunities in this advertisement are left open for general public.

As term non-Muslim is being used for Christians, Hindus, Sikhs and other religious minorities in 18th Amendment in Constitution of Pakistan.

In Punjab province of Pakistan, the Christians are second biggest population after Muslims counted in millions while Hindus, Sikhs and other religious minorities are only up to hundreds only. It is generally points towards Christians when called non-Muslims in Punjab province of Pakistan. 

A Christian nominated from ruling Pakistan Muslim League PML (N) in Punjab Assembly as Member of Provincial Assembly is Minister for Health and he not launches any enquiry on this controversial job advertisement.

Last year the PTI government in KPK province also publically announced that for Christians the jobs of Sanitary Workers will be allocated only which received condemnation from all schools of thought in Pakistan but in Punjab province it happens where a Christian leads Ministry of Health.

The “Sanitary Workers” are called as “Churras” (a hate words) in all over Pakistan when majority of Christians are forced to perform duties of sanitary workers, the Muslims call Christians who are even educated with hate word “Churra” in their absence.

The sources close to parliamentarians told Pakistan Christian Post that Muslim Members of National Assembly and of Provincial Assemblies enjoy drinking parties in Assemblies Hostels but not take dinners with non-Muslim members and call them “Churra or Bangi” when they are not present in their private gatherings.

Dr. Nazir S Bhatti, President of Pakistan Christian Congress PCC have strongly condemned health department advertisement of job opportunities allocating sanitary workers jobs for non-Muslims. 

PCC Chief have demanded resignation of Punjab Health Minister and an open apology from Mian Shahbaz Sharif, Chief Minister of Punjab and keep 5% quota for jobs for non-Muslims from grade 4 to grade 17 Pay Scale jobs. 

Meanwhile, an advocacy group LEAD in a press release have said “According to details, an advertisement was publicized by the Institute of Cardiology in Lahore explaining that only non-Muslims will be eligible to apply for the job of male and female sweeper. The advertisement has been deemed as a humiliation of the non-Muslims; generally the word non-Muslim here is assumed to be for Christians. These advertisements were widely circulated throughout the country and have sparked great anger among the Pakistani Christians. It has been assumed that low-ranking jobs have been specifically assigned to the Christians.

Sardar Mushtaq Gill, Human Rights Defender who heads LEAD, an organization working for minorities’ rights, has taken strongly condemned this advertisement and decided to challenge it in High Courts.

“It seems that Government authorities deliberately misleading to cover 5% quota by pointing only Christians on these menial jobs and systematically humiliate Christians in the eyes of the society that they have been limited to specific types of work" told Mr. Gill.

This is not first incident of such religious discriminatory advertisement for jobs vacancies, this has been pointed out that earlier too when two other hospitals namely Lady Wellington Hospital and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, also had publicized advertisements for job vacancies for janitor calling in for a non-Muslim or Christian, as requirements for the vacancy.

"The government has very sharp mind about minority 5% job quota, they cover it by pointing Christian on janitor jobs and filled all other jobs by Muslims and if someone try to challenge it through 5% quota system in courts then authority takes plea that reserved 5% jobs for minorities had already filled with janitor jobs" added Mr. Gill. - See more at: http://www.pakistanchristianpost.com/detail.php?hnewsid=5615#sthash.iDCP15Y9.dpuf

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