Pakistan abolishes cabinet office for religious minorities

July 01, 2011

The government of Pakistan has abolished a cabinet-level ministry for religious-minority affairs, eliminating the post once held by the murdered Catholic leader Shabhaz Bhatti.

The religious-affairs ministry is one of 7 cabinet offices that were closed down as part of a plan to decentralize Pakistan’s government. Prime Minister Raza Gilani, who had reservations about the decentralization scheme, has promised to install a new office to coordinate religious-minority affairs at the federal level.

The prime minister is currently served by a special advisor for religious minorities. That post is occupied by Paul Bhatti, the brother of the cabinet minister who was killed by Islamic zealots.

 

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Further information:

• Devolution approved: the Federal Ministry for Religious Minorities has been abolished (Fides)