ISLAMABAD: In a landmark demand for constitutional equality, Senator Dinesh Kumar of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) has called for the upcoming 27th Constitutional Amendment to grant minorities eligibility for the country’s highest offices, including the positions of President and Prime Minister of Pakistan.
Speaking during a Senate session, Senator Kumar presented a series of radical proposals aimed at fostering greater political inclusion. His central argument was that the constitutional amendment should include a provision allowing a non-Muslim citizen to become either the President or the Prime Minister, breaking a long-standing political tradition in the country.
Expanding on his vision for constitutional reform, the senator also proposed that a member of the Senate should be eligible for the office of the Prime Minister. Furthermore, he demanded that the national budget must require approval from the Senate, a move that would significantly enhance the upper house’s legislative power.
Senator Kumar also voiced personal grievance against the persistent use of religious labels in political identity. He complained that despite his position as a senator, he is consistently referred to as a “non-Muslim,” a distinction he finds divisive. To underscore his deep connection to the country’s spiritual fabric, he mentioned his pilgrimages to revered shrines like Data Darbar and Sehwan Sharif.
Concluding his address, Senator Dinesh Kumar urged the government to take effective and concrete steps to resolve the longstanding issues faced by the minority communities in Pakistan. His bold demands have ignited a crucial debate on the nature of representation, religious equality, and the future of constitutional democracy in Pakistan, challenging the existing political framework to become more inclusive.
Meanwhile in a crucial political development, a high-level federal delegation, including Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah and other federal ministers, arrived in Turbat on Monday. The delegation, representing Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, held a significant meeting with National Party (NP) chief Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch, a key member of the provincial assembly.
