Lawmakers submitted a resolution seeking legislation to allow minorities to elect their representatives through direct elections instead of reserved seats, proposing separate or dual voting rights.
LAHORE: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-Jan,31, 2026) A resolution has been submitted in the Punjab Assembly seeking the right for minorities to directly elect their representatives.
Minority members of the Pakistan Muslim League (N) in the Punjab Assembly have united to push for legislation that would allow minority representatives to be elected through direct voting in the next general elections, instead of through reserved seats. The lawmakers have demanded that all minorities residing in Punjab be granted the right to either a separate electorate or a dual vote system to choose their representatives.
Christopher Philbos, the government’s Chairman of the Standing Committee on Minority Affairs, submitted the resolution in the Punjab Assembly. The resolution calls for minority lawmakers to be elected through direct elections rather than being nominated on reserved seats.
Minority members argue that the current system of reserved seats limits their political role and effectiveness. They stated that despite the passage of significant constitutional amendments, such as the 26th and 27th Amendments, minority representatives on reserved seats were not consulted.
The resolution further demands that minorities across Pakistan be granted the right to separate or dual voting so they can elect their true representatives. Lawmakers in the assembly expressed collective support for the resolution submitted by the government committee chairman.
