On Jan 27th, Dr. Shireen M Mazari, Pakistani Minister of Human Rights came for a private visit of beautiful BC. Pakistani Consul General Dr. Mohammad Tarik invited her at his residence in Vancouver to meet Pakistani Canadian community members along with the representatives of PCA, PCCA, PCWS, FOP, PTI and Canadian Muslim Media Club members.
Dr. Tarik welcomed Dr. Mazari in BC and thanked her for accepting his invitation to meet the community during her short visit . He mentioned in Dr Mazari’s introduction that she did her B.Sc.(Hon) from the London School of Economics, and a Masters, M. Phil, and PhD, from Colombia University, New York, USA. She was Director-General, Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad, from August 2000 to May 2008. Dr. Mazari has been a regular columnist for the main English dailies of Pakistan and was Editor of The Nation a leading English Daily, from 2009 to 2010. In August 2018, Dr, Shireen Mazari was given the portfolio of human rights.
Dr. Shireen M Mazari thanked Dr. Tarik for hosting this community gathering and giving her a chance to meet them. She said her visit to North America is personal she was glad to share some of Pakistan’s current policies and listen to everyone’s issues and then convey them in Islamabad. She spoke of Pakistani laws and policies such as personal law, Transgender Law, child Abuse issues, Zainab Alert Bill. as well as issues with Bureaucracy, parliament System and PTI Culture
After her short speech, there was a Q &A Session about various topics. The Miracle Media Group and about any in the relationship between Pakistan and Canada in the last 18 months and also asked for an update about last year’s Overseas fundraising for Dam fund which was supported by other South Asian communities as well. Dr. Mazari said that regarding the relations between Canada and Pakistan, some points in business have already been discussed and other matters will be resolved soon with both governments. Regarding the dam funds, Dr. Mazari said the Pakistani Government does not have sufficient funds yet to start, and it is not my ministry but I will get back to you with an update through the Consul General when I am there.
Another Question was raised by Mr. Haroon about the false blasphemy cases being registered against minorities like Asiya Bibi, Ramsha. 60-70% of thee cases are false. Other issues raised inlcuded how to approach the judiciary to get justice quicker, human rights in Balochistan, treatment of transgender patients, minority election, PTI’s foreign funding, traveling with multiple cellphones and mistreatment at the airports. Dr. Mazari answered the questions and promised to get more information where needed. In the end, Dr Tarik thanked Dr. Mazai for her time for the community issues. The event followed by lunch catered by Lahori Sweets and Restaurant Surrey.
