Ministry told to help minorities acquire land for cemeteries

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly’s standing committee on minorities on Monday asked the Minorities Affairs Ministry to facilitate the Christian and Hindu communities in acquiring land for their graveyards through a special fund and dialogue with the allotting authorities.

Akram Gill chaired the meeting of the standing committee while Ijazul Haq, minister-in charge for minorities’ affairs, briefed the committee members about the structure and the working of the ministry, a press release said. The committee also recommended to the government to increase the ministry’s budget and increase the funds for minorities’ development and financial assistance from Rs 77 million to at least Rs 100 million.

It also recommended that the amount for scholarship should be increased for minority students and this increase should match the needs of a student nowadays. The committee recommended that the Evacuee Trust Property Board should make efforts in acquisition and retrieval of minorities’ properties and should also frame a proper policy for leasing out their lands at justified rates. staff report

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