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National Commission for Minorities (NCM)
National Commission for Minorities is playing a pivotal role for creating interfaith harmony in the country. The last NCM completed its tenure on 10.05.2023 and the process of reconstitution of NCM is under process. The last Commission held seventeen meetings and contributed effectively as follows:
- Held discussions/consultations on the need, scope, and plan of action for an Interfaith Harmony Policy.
- Visited and consulted all provincial governments to assess minority issues and steps taken to address them.
- Acted as frontline peacekeeper after the desecration of Terri Mandir/Samadhi in District Karak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
- Intervened after the attack on a mandir at Bhong Shareef, Rahim Yar Khan on 03-08-2021 to pacify tensions and restore confidence of the Hindu community.
- Facilitated law enforcement response to attacks on Sikh traders in KPK (Jan-May 2022) and contributed to managing the situation following the murder of Mr. Nanadasi Priyantha Kumara in Sialkot (02-12-2021).
Major Features
- Established vide Cabinet decision No. 194/15/90 dated 02.07.1990
- Present composition notified on 11.05.2020 for a period of 3 years
- Commission consists of 6 official and 12 non-official members
- 10 members belong to minorities, with Mr. Chela Ram Kewlani as Chairman (Hindu community)
- Held 18 meetings and facilitated drafting of IH Policy and a Bill on its statutory framework
- The Bill was introduced in NA on 22.02.23 and referred to NA standing Committee
Functions of National Commission for Minorities
- Develop national policy on Inter-faith Harmony
- Review laws reported to be discriminatory towards minorities
- Recommend steps to the government for mainstreaming minorities
- Ensure celebrations of religious functions of minorities
- Look into grievances of minorities and recommend redressal measures
- Ensure protection of worship places of minorities
- Consider cases of NOCs for sale/purchase/transfer of communal properties
Composition of National Commission for Minorities
| Official Members | Non-official Members | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr. Chela Ram Kewlani | Chairman |
Moulana Adul Khabir Azad Mufti Gulzar Ahmed Naeemi |
2 Muslims |
| Rep (BS-20) of M/o Interior | 01 |
Prof. Dr. Sarah Safdar Mr. Albert David Mr. Liaqat Masih Qaiser |
3 Christians |
| Rep (BS-20) of Ministry of Law and Justice | 01 |
Dr. Jaipal Chhabria Mr. Vishno Raja |
3 Hindus |
| Rep (BS-20) of Ministry of Human Rights | 01 |
Mr. Saroop Singh Mr. Mimpal Singh |
2 Sikhs |
| Rep (BS-20) of Ministry of Federal Education & Technical Training | 01 | Ms. Roshan Khurshid Barucha | 1 Parsi |
| Rep of Council of Islamic Ideology | 01 | Mr. Dawood Shah | 1 Kalash |
| Secretary, RA&IH | 01 | ||
| Total | 06 | Total | 12 |