Pakistani leadership, including President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, reaffirmed their commitment to protect the rights of minorities while hosting their services to the country on Monday, to celebrate the National Minority Day.
The National Minority Day is celebrated on August 11 every year. Commemorates the historical discourse of Quaid-I-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, held on August 11, 1947, where he emphasized the same rights for all citizens, regardless of religion. The day aims to highlight the religious and socio -economic rights of minorities in Pakistan.
In the separate statements today, President Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz reaffirmed their commitment to safeguard and advance the rights of minorities while recognizing their contributions to the country.
The president reaffirmed his resolution to continue efforts to promote interreligious harmony, brotherhood and unity to build an inclusive and prosperous Pakistan.
“This day reflects the vision of Quaid-I-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnaah of a Pakistan where each citizen lives in equality, harmony and mutual respect,” he said, according to a press release.
The president said that the Constitution guaranteed equal rights for all citizens “regardless of religion, caste, creed or color”, and that safeguarded political, economic, religious, social and cultural rights of minorities.
“Pakistan is resolutely against all forms of discrimination, extremism and religious intolerance,” he emphasized. “We remain determined to build a society free of prejudices, one that embraces diversity as a fortress and is anchored in mutual respect, interreligious harmony and shared progress.”
He added that the day was also an occasion to recognize the contributions of minority communities to the construction of the nation, saying that they had served the country with dedication in the armed forces, judicial, civil services, education and medical care.
Its patriotism and service remained a “source of pride for the entire nation,” he added.
The president noticed measures taken by the country for the well -being and empowerment of minorities, including the establishment of the National Commission for Minorities, the allocation of a minority welfare fund, the restoration and preservation of places of worship and provision of scholarships and financial assistance to minority students.
“We continue to promote interreligious dialogue and ensure a significant participation of minorities in each sphere of national life,” he added.
In a separate statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the total inclusion of minorities in government institutions, parliament and the national mainstream, while appreciating his role in the development and progress of the country.
“Pakistan is proud of the patriotism of his minorities, professional hard work and attachment to national heritage and culture,” he said.
“The well -being and well -being of all minorities in Pakistan, whether sijs, Christians, Hindus [or] Parsis, is one of the priority duties of the Government of Pakistan, ”said the prime minister.
He emphasized the services provided by minorities “in all areas of life”, including those who had sacrificed their lives defending Pakistan.
“We pay tribute from the bottom of our hearts,” he said.
The prime minister also emphasized that protecting the rights of minorities, apart from a constitutional obligation, was also a religious duty. “Islam advocates specifically by the protection of civil, religious and social rights of minorities. Ulema and religious leaders play a key role in the protection of religious freedom,” he said.
He asked all Pakistani to practice unity and solidarity, mutual respect and tolerance.
The president of the PPP, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, also recognized the National Minority Day, appreciating the role of minorities in the development of the country.
“The true strength and beauty of Pakistan lies in his diversity,” he said in a publication on social networks, qualifying the safeguarding and respect for the rights of minorities an “unbreakable pillar of the country’s democratic vision.”
“Our fight is for a Pakistan where no citizen feels isolated or insecure due to their religion, but where the brotherhood ties rise above the prejudice.”
The statements were also made by the Minister of Human Rights, Azam Nazeer, Tarar, and Sindh’s Prime Minister Murad Ali Shah.
Tarar called the occasion a “solemn reminder of our shared responsibility to ensure that each citizen of Pakistan enjoys equality, justice and respect, regardless of faith.”
He echoed the messages of the Prime Minister and the President, emphasizing the vision of the founding father of the country for a State “where religion would never hinder the rights, dignity or equal position of his people”, as well as the Islamic teachings to “defend justice without exception.”
“We find a Pakistan where diversity is celebrated, unity is our strength, and justice remains our guiding principle,” said the minister.
Meanwhile, CM Murad condemned intolerance against minorities and reaffirmed the province’s commitment to peaceful coexistence.
“Our beloved Sindh has always been tolerant and progressive in terms of religious freedom,” he said while heading to a meeting in a Hindu temple in Karachi. During his speech, he compared the province with “intolerant” Western democracies.
“In our province, in general, we condemn actions against minorities because we are the land of the Sufi,” he said, adding: “The Sindh’s suffering have always given the same lesson, which we should all coexist in peace and harmony.
“I am happy to see today that our Hindu brothers, Sik and Parsi are standing and celebrating the day together.”
He reaffirmed that Sindh’s government “would always be with minorities” and that the action would always be taken against any “unfortunate incident” against minorities in Sindh.
On Sunday, the Welfare Board of the workers of Sindh decided to extend its next electric bicycle scheme beyond women to industrial workers of minority communities.
However, despite leadership statements, religious freedom remains a challenge in Pakistan, with recurring incidents of mafia attacks, forced conversions and cases of blasphemy, as Sebastien Lorion of the European Union pointed out.
Last month, the Minister of State for Religious Affairs and interreligious harmony, the Kesoo Mal Kheal Das acknowledged that religious minorities in the country face administrative and governance problems.
According to Kheal Das, the Law for the establishment of the National Minority Rights Commission has been approved by both Chambers of Parliament and awaits a presidential assent.
