ISLAMABAD: The Parliamentary Minority Caucus expressed concern over the Establishment Division’s failure to provide complete data on filled and vacant minority quota seats across ministries and departments.
At a meeting chaired by Convener Senator Danesh Kumar at Parliament House on Monday, it was informed that all ministries, attached departments and autonomous bodies had been asked to submit the data, which was still awaited. The Establishment Division assured the committee that the information would be provided after June this year.
The forum was also briefed by the Additional Inspector General (AIG) of Balochistan Police on staffing, noting that out of 49,414 sanctioned posts, 43,918 were filled, leaving 5,496 vacancies. He said 32,942 posts of the former Levies Force had been merged into Balochistan Police, with integration ongoing. The committee was informed that recruitment for senior posts is conducted through the FPSC, while lower cadre hiring is done on merit by the department.
The AIG reaffirmed implementation of the 5 per cent minority quota, though Senator Kumar noted that in the constable category, 1,142 posts were reserved for minorities but only 440 filled, leaving 702 vacant. The committee recommended that minority quota vacancies be advertised separately for timely filling. Dr Nelson Azeem urged uniform implementation of the quota in Class-IV posts, while the Ministry of Human Rights was asked to engage provinces on compliance.
The caucus also discussed the alleged kidnapping case of a Christian girl, Kiran, from Lahore. Police officials toldthe forum that an FIR had been registered and the girl had stated she married of her own free will. The court subsequently allowed both parties to leave after recording statements.
However, Dr Azeem disputed the police version, claiming the girl was a minor and alleging she had been denied access to her parents. The DIG Investigation Lahore, speaking via Zoom, said the complainant listed her age as 17 in the FIR dated April 8, 2026, and added that Kiran had refused to go with her parents, reiterating her stance of a voluntary marriage.
The caucus stressed the need for strict age verification in such cases and directed authorities to reinvestigate the matter under relevant Christian marriage laws and submit a report in the next meeting.
