Islamabad:
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed the country on Sunday to safeguard the rights, well-being and equal inclusion of minority communities in all areas of national life.
On the occasion of the National Day of Minorities, observed each year on August 11, the two leaders paid tribute to the contributions of minorities in the construction of the nation, highlighting the principles of interconfessional harmony, equality and mutual respect as envisaged by Quaid-Ezam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
In his message, President Asif Ali Zardari has renewed national determination “to work for the empowerment and advancement of minority communities” and is committed to continuing his efforts to “promote interconfessional harmony, brotherhood and unity to build an inclusive and prosperous Pakistan”.
He said that the minority day reflected the vision of Quaid-Ezam of a Pakistan “where each citizen lives in equality, harmony and mutual respect”.
He noted that the Constitution of Pakistan guaranteed equal rights to all citizens, regardless of religion, caste, belief or color and has saved political, economic, religious, social and cultural interests of minorities.
“Pakistan is resolutely against all forms of discrimination, extremism and religious intolerance. We remain determined to build a society free of prejudices-which embraces diversity as a force,” he said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in his message said that the Government of Pakistan, guided by “high religious and constitutional values”, was attached to the complete inclusion of minorities in government institutions, Parliament and the general national public.
“Today, the whole nation, including me, celebrates the national minority day to protect the rights of minorities and assess their key role in the development and progress of the country,” he said.
“Today, we are renewing our commitment to always fight against religious freedom and the equal rights of minorities in the light of the teachings of the founder of Pakistan and Islamic lessons,” he added.
Calling on August 11, 1947 from Quaid-Ezam, addressing an “ideological guarantee for the sure future of minorities in Pakistan”, the Prime Minister said that the well-being of Sikhs, Christians, Hindu, Parsis and all other minority groups was “one of the priority functions of the Pakistan government”.
