Rawalpindi:The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) on Monday screened a documentary titled ‘Hum Juda Nahin’ (We Are Not Separate) highlighting the historic struggle against Pakistan’s separate electorate system, says a press release.
The 20-minute film, produced by CSJ and directed by award-winning filmmakers Daud Akhtar Murad and Peter Jacob, traces the period from the introduction of separate electorates in 1979 to their abolition in 2002.
For 22 years, voters could cast ballots only for candidates of their own religion, a system that marginalized minorities. The documentary focuses on the campaign for restoration during the 1990s and up to 2001.
Based on historical records and interviews, the film features statements by Hina Jilani, Cardinal Joseph Coutts, Dr. Charles Amjad Ali and Dr. Yaqoob Bangash. It also highlights the roles of political leaders Benazir Bhutto and Shahbaz Bhatti, and civil society figures including Asma Jahangir, I.A. Rehman and Sobho Gianchandani.
Speaking at the event, PPP MNA Naveed Amir Jeeva said civil society and Shahbaz Bhatti played a key role in restoring joint electorates. He noted that the five percent job quota, four Senate seats for minorities, establishment of a Minority Commission and notifications on religious holidays became possible under the joint system.
Shahana Rose, General Secretary of Minority Forum Pakistan Rawalpindi, said religion is a personal matter and joint electorates enable women and minorities to raise their voices effectively. Samuel Bashir, President of Minority Forum Punjab, stressed that the system strengthens equal citizenship and non-discriminatory participation.
CSJ Executive Director Peter Jacob said the restoration was the result of a long public struggle, not the decision of a few individuals. He urged repeal of constitutional Articles 41 and 91, which bar non-Muslims from the offices of President and Prime Minister.Participants reaffirmed their commitment to equal citizenship and participatory democracy.
