Pakistan Hindu Council (PHC) and Legal Aid Society (LAS), on Friday, inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for strengthening access to justice by extending legal support to Hindu and other non-Muslim communities across Sindh. The MoU was signed by Secretary General PHC Parshotam Ramani and Chief Executive Officer LAS Barrister Hayya Emaan Zahid here at a ceremony in the presence of Chairman PMs Taskforce on Gandhara Tourism and Patron-in-Chief of PHC Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani and other representatives of both the organisations.
The signing ceremony was specifically organised on the International Day of Minorities to highlight the significance and role of minority communities in the development, progress and prosperity of the country while a cake was also cut at the occasion to mark the day. According to the MoU both organisations will work jointly for ensuring access of minority communities to justice in criminal as well as civil matters and safeguarding the rights of marginalised communities across Sindh. As part of the collaboration, PHC will refer cases of the Hindu community to LAS, disseminate Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) material prepared by LAS among its communities.
On the other hand, LAS has pledged its unwavering support by providing free legal advice, sharing awareness material and other assistance to Pakistan Hindu Council. Dr. Ramesh Kumar Vankwani speaking at the occasion highlighted the significance of the International Day of Minorities and said that the creation of Pakistan was based on the ideology of “Riyasat e Madina” where all the citizens including religious minorities were guaranteed fundamental rights and equal status.
