Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addresses the nation in Islamabad on Sunday. Photo: screenshot
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday extended his Diwali greetings to the Hindu community and other religious minorities, calling the festival a “beautiful message of joy, peace and tolerance” and reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting the rights of minorities.
At a special ceremony at the Prime Minister House that included senior religious and diplomatic figures, members of minority communities and parliamentary representatives, the prime minister said the presence of Hindu, Christian and other minority leaders at the event reflected “the living reality of Pakistan’s pluralism.”
He reiterated that every citizen regardless of their faith has the constitutional right to practice religious rituals without fear.
Referring to recent government measures, Shehbaz highlighted the progress in institutional and political measures aimed at strengthening the protection of minorities.
He highlighted parliamentary approval and ongoing work to give the proposed National Commission for Minorities a firmer legal basis and said the government had implemented specific support programs, from scholarships for minority students at primary to tertiary levels to minority representation in federal and provincial assemblies.
The prime minister praised minority communities for their contributions in fields ranging from public service to defense and development, and said their patriotism and public-spirited work was a source of national pride.
He urged Muslims and non-Muslims to work “shoulder to shoulder” to resist hatred, intolerance and extremism and preserve Pakistan as a land of tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Shehbaz also noted steps taken under youth and social welfare programs to increase inclusion, and said the state would continue to ensure equal opportunities for minorities in education, health and public employment.
He highlighted that religious festivals enjoyed official recognition and that holidays and workplace accommodation were provided so that citizens could observe their faith.
Concluding his remarks, the Prime Minister once again wished the Hindu community a happy Diwali and called on political and religious leaders to deepen interfaith dialogue.
Prime Minister highlights energy reforms and growth of SMEs
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed the Energy Division and relevant ministries to devise effective policy measures to boost domestic industrial production and ensure broader participation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the country’s industrial growth.
Chairing separate meetings on power sector reforms and SME development, the prime minister highlighted that electricity generation should be used strategically to improve productivity in the agricultural and industrial sectors. He highlighted that the optimal use of energy resources could help increase the production of goods and strengthen the national economy.
Shehbaz emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting both agriculture and industry, directing officials to develop policies that maximize the beneficial use of available energy resources. He said the government would take all necessary measures to facilitate investors and industrialists, enabling them to expand their operations and contribute to economic stability.
The Prime Minister was briefed on a proposed reform package aimed at ensuring comprehensive and efficient use of the country’s energy production. The meeting was attended by Energy Minister Awais Leghari, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema, Industries Advisor Haroon Akhtar and other senior officials.
In a separate session reviewing the restructuring of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), the prime minister called for encouraging the registration of small businesses and households so that they could access loans and participate in formal industrial networks.
He said industrial growth in developed economies was driven by SMEs that provided raw materials and support to large industries. He directed the authorities to train rural SMEs in processing agricultural products and appreciated the ministry’s progress in SME reforms.
Shehbaz noted that SMEDA’s new offices in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan were well received by the local business communities. He urged early implementation of the SMEDA roadmap to integrate SMEs into the formal economy and accelerate industrial expansion across the country.
Officials briefed the meeting on the establishment of a private sector-led SMEDA board, progress in financing and capacity building of SMEs, and the development of an AI-powered Women Entrepreneurship Platform to assist women in business registration, taxation and skills training.
(WITH INPUT FROM THE APP)
