Lahore, The 5th Annual Conference on Marginalized Populations, organized by the Department of Sociology and Forman Sociology Society, was held at Forman Christian College University (FCCU) on November 29, 2023. This interdisciplinary event aimed to create a platform for researchers, policymakers, students, and community members to address issues affecting marginalized communities in Pakistan.

According to Forman Christian College, the conference brought together academic speakers from various FCCU departments, including Sociology, Mass Communication, English, and Political Sciences, to discuss the challenges faced by religious, ethnic, and other urban minority groups in Pakistan. The event featured presentations and discussions led by faculty members and students, focusing on the experiences and issues of these communities.

Dr. Sara Rizvi Jafree, Chair of the Department of Sociology, and Dr. Sikandar Hayat, Patron of the Conference, opened the event with remarks and speeches, setting the tone for the day’s discussions.

The first session of the conference, led by Dr. Arya, Dr. Fatima Syeda, Dr. Qurratulain, Dr. Shahid Rasheed, and Dr. Shezad Ali, concentrated on religious minorities and exclusion. Topics included the situation of Hindu temples in Lahore, the forceful relocation of Hazara Shias into gated communities, marginalized characters in Pakistani anglophone fiction, and the Christian community in Jaranwala.

The conference then shifted focus to health-related barriers and patient safety. Dr. Ain ul Momina, Ms. Tehniyat Fatima, Dr. Shazia Ilyas, and Dr. Anum Muzammil presented on various topics, such as safety procedures in public hospitals, challenges faced by Afghan cancer patients, environmental issues for elderly women in urban slums, and the occupational health and safety concerns of waste workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The final segment of the conference explored agency in political and informal sectors. Dr. Bushra Usman, Dr. Julie Flowerday, and Mr. Haider Ali discussed the struggles of women working from home as entrepreneurs and the challenges faced by the people of Gilgit Baltistan.

The conference concluded at 1:40 PM with a closing speech and a shield distribution ceremony, led by the Chief Guest, Dr. Addleton, Rector of FCCU. The event provided valuable insights and recommendations for the protection and empowerment of marginalized communities, reflecting the extensive research presented throughout the day.