Islamabad:
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed on Sunday the nation’s commitment to safeguard rights, well -being and equal inclusion of minority communities in all spheres of national life.
On the occasion of the National Minority Day, observed annually on August 11, both leaders paid tribute to the contributions of minorities in the construction of the nation, emphasizing the principles of interreligious harmony, equality and mutual respect as provided by Quaid-E-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnaah.
In his message, President Asif Ali Zardari renewed the national resolution “to work for the empowerment and progress of minority communities” and promised to continue efforts to “promote interreligious harmony, brotherhood and unity to build an inclusive and prosperous Pakistan.”
He said that minorities reflected the vision of Quaid-E-Azam of a Pakistan “where each citizen lives in equality, harmony and mutual respect.”
He pointed out that the Constitution of Pakistan guaranteed equal rights for all citizens, regardless of their religion, caste, creed or color and safeguarded political, economic, religious, social, social and cultural legitimate interests.
“Pakistan stands out resolutely in all forms of discrimination, extremism and religious intolerance. We remain determined to build a society free of prejudices, one that embraces diversity as a strength,” he said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his message, said that the Pakistan government, guided by “high religious and constitutional values,” committed to the total inclusion of minorities in government institutions, Parliament and the national main current.
“Today, the entire nation, including me, is celebrating the National Minority Day to protect minority rights and appreciate its key role in the development and progress of the country,” he said.
“Today, we renew our promise to always fight for religious freedom and equal rights of minorities in the light of the teachings of the founder of Pakistan and Islamic teachings,” he added.
Calling August 11, 1947 of Quaid-E-Azam, addressing an “ideological guarantee for the future minority insurance in Pakistan,” the prime minister said the well-being of the SIJS, the Christians, the Hindus, the Parsis and all the other minority groups “one of the priority duties of the Government of Pakistan.”
