Why do only few major families in Pakistan ‘snatch’ minority reserved seats

After 76 years since the creation of Pakistan, a pattern has emerged where specific families from minority communities, particularly in the Hindu population, consistently secure reserved seats in the national and provincial assemblies.

Despite constitutional provisions for equal rights to minorities, certain influential families dominate these reserved seats. In Sindh, the province with the highest Hindu population, families like the Kohistanis have maintained a stronghold on political representation.

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Political parties such as the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Muslim League-N (PML-N), and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) allocate tickets for reserved seats to these specific families. The Kohistani family, affiliated with PML-N, has had significant influence, with members holding various political positions.

The issue is controversial, with accusations of attempts to divide Hindus based on caste and allegations of certain families exploiting minority representation for personal gain.

Critics argue that this practice leaves the broader minority population, comprising around 3.53% of Pakistan’s total population, without genuine representation.

Calls for legislative measures to ensure fair and equal opportunities for minorities on reserved seats have been made, emphasizing merit-based selection rather than hereditary control.

Advocates contend that the current system perpetuates the dominance of a few upper-class families within the minority communities, hindering the broader democratic rights of the minority population, estimated at 40 lakh (4 million) people.