ISLAMABAD, May 15: Speakers at a seminar on Tuesday called for urgent steps to curb the forced conversion of religion and suggested formation of a national commission for minorities to address such social issues effectively.

The seminar was organised by the Ministry of National Harmony.

The speakers also supported strengthening the jirga system to check the social evil.

The seminar, however, failed to come up with concrete proposals to solve the issue in more effective manner.

Representatives of National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW), NGOs, officials and diplomats of different countries attended the seminar.

Minister for National Harmony Dr Paul Bhatti while speaking on the occasion said poverty, illiteracy, ignorance and social injustice made the victims an easy target for forced conversions.

Dr Makesh Kumar Malani, Maulana Mohammad Hussain Akbar, Raja Tri Dev Roy,  Bahram D Avari, Ms Samia Raheel Qazi, Bishop Humphery Peter, Hafiz Hussain Ahamad, Bajan Das Tanwani, Maulana Roohallah Madni, Maulana Tariq Usmani also addressed the seminar.

Dr Paul stressed the need of bringing poor minority peasants into mainstream of economic and social uplift as a long term solution to this problem. “We can encourage small cottage industry in areas which are more vulnerable,” he observed.

The minister assured to use his good offices to raise the voice of oppressed at all forums. He even offered to approach various public or private banks to seek small loans for poor minority people to help them get stronger economically.

He called for preparing educational curriculum on such a pattern that it promoted inter-faith harmony. “I have a plan to establish a University for Arts and Religions at Islamabad, where respect for all religions will be taught. It will make Pakistan a tolerant and peace loving country on the map of the world,” Dr Paul said.

Bishop Peter Jacob said that the white colour in the Pakistans flag represented minorities, but they were not getting even their due rights. He also criticised Article 2-A inserted in the constitution during General Ziaul  Haq’s regime to make Objectives Resolution substantive part of the constitution.

Raheela Samia Qazi observed that the Muslims and Pakistan were being targeted under a conspiracy following the 9/11 episode. She said the alleged incident of abduction of three Hindu girls in Sindh and their conversion to Islam was also propagated as part of the same conspiracy.

She pointed out that Faryal (Rinkle Kumari), Haleema (Asha Kumari) and Hafsa (Dr Lata) had told the Apex Court that they wanted to live with their husbands.