Founder of World Minorities Alliance Julius Salik, commonly known as J. Salik has moved the Supreme Court of Pakistan seeking provision of official residence as he has no place to live in the country and during his long political career and struggle for the rights of oppressed people spanning over 45 years, had not taken any governmental favour.
Earlier he had moved a similar petition in Islamabad High Court a couple of years back on March 15, 2021, which was rejected by the court.
In the current petition moved under Article 199 of the constitution J. Salik, who is known for his unique and peculiar ways of protests for highlighting the cause of rights of minorities and other oppressed communities, submitted that for past 45 years he have been serving the cause of the country and for rest of his live he will continue to do so.
Throughout his career he had not taken any benefit for government despite the fact that he had been elected Member National Assembly thrice and also served as Federal Minister for Population Welfare in Benazir government in 1994.
He prayed to the apex court that he should be allowed to contest the elections for the slots of President and Prime Minister of Pakistan so that he would become entitled for life time perks and privileges entitled to these two top constitutional positions.
If it is not possible under the constitution as no minorities member can run for the slots of Prime Minister or President then he should be provided with official residence for rest of his life and even if it is not possible then he should be allowed to erect a tent in the limits of Federal Capital so that he could spend rest of his life serving the cause of motherland and the oppressed communities.
He said that he was the only politician who had secured highest votes from all the four provinces in various elections held on seats reserved for minorities. Besides serving various bodies on minorities rights at provincial and federal level J. Salik was elected as Member National Assembly thrice and also served as Federal Minister for Population Welfare.
He was first elected as Member National Assembly in 1988 general elections. He returned victorious in 1990 and then in 1993 elections. In 1994 he was inducted as Federal Minister for Population Welfare in the then Benazir Bhutto led government.
Keeping in view his matchless services for the rights of minorities the then Prime Minister Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto recommended his name for Nobel Peace Prize describing him as the ‘nation’s conscience’ in 1996.
In his petition he has moved in Supreme Court of Pakistan J. Salik described his services for the rights of minorities, freedom of speech, basic human rights and the cause of democracy.
He also referred to his struggle against the dictatorial regime of General Ziaul Haq wherein he was arrested and handed down seven years imprisonment.
Referring to his holding the portfolio of Federal Minister for Population Welfare and Member of National Assembly thrice J. Salik said that he had not taken any privilege holding these offices and this could be judged well from the fact that he did not own any house in the country.
He prayed to the court to provide him an official residence in Islamabad and in case it is not possible then he should be allowed to erect a tent at some appropriate place in the capital where he should spend rest of his life serving the cause of democracy and rights of oppressed segments of society.
In 1996 J. Salik had founded the World Minorities Alliance to advocate for the social status of minorities, initially religious minorities in Pakistan—including Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and Sikh communities.
Recently Chairman Commission on Minorities Rights, Dr Muhammad Shoaib Suddle, in recognition of his exceptional services to the cause of minorities decided to recommend to the government to award him the top civil award Hilal-e-Pakistan, and nominate him for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize.