National Minorities Day being marked across country today

The National Minorities Day is being marked across Pakistan today, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Sunday.

Pakistan is a country where minorities and Muslims, who are in majority, have equal rights.   

They have equal access to the opportunities by utilizing which they can progress and prosper.

There is no gainsaying the fact that people belonging to minority groups, both men and women, have always played a major role in the country’s development.

They have proved their talent and skills and shown professionalism in all walks of life, including in the armed forces of Pakistan where they defend the country shoulder-to-shoulder with their Muslim brethren.    

The government of Pakistan always takes steps for the welfare and betterment of minorities.

It is hoped that minorities will continue to play their role in the development of the country with the same spirit and enthusiasm they have been showing since independence.

President Zardari says minorities in Pakistan enjoy all rights

President Asif Ali Zardari says minorities in Pakistan enjoy all political, economic and social rights which have been guaranteed by the Constitution.

In his message on National Minorities' Day, he said on this day, we reaffirm our commitment to the promise made by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, on 11th August 1947, to the country's minorities to protect their rights and religious freedoms.

The President said the government has taken several steps for the political, social and economic empowerment of minorities.

He urged all segments of society to educate the people about their rights and work to promote interfaith harmony, the spirit of love, tolerance, brotherhood and unity to make Pakistan a strong country.

Asif Ali Zardari expressed confidence that the minorities of Pakistan would continue to play a positive role towards the country's development.

PM lauds minorities’ contribution in national progress

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif commended the excellent role of minorities in the national progress and prosperity and reiterated the government’s resolve to protect their rights.

In a message on the Minorities’ Day, the prime minister felicitated them on the observance of the day and said that they were committed to the welfare of the minorities and on this day, pledged the resolve to strive further in this regard.

He said the government of Pakistan was taking practical steps for the welfare of the minorities. The allocation of special seats, besides employment opportunities on merit for the minorities, spoke volumes about the provision of equal opportunities to all, adding minorities’ representation in all institutions were being appreciated.

The prime minister said that the objective of observance of the day at the official level was to express solidarity with the minorities and acknowledge their contributions to the State of Pakistan, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

The minority communities had played a vital role in the Pakistan Movement and since then had been playing their due role in the construction of the motherland.

Referring to the historic speech of the Founder of the Nation, Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on August 11, 1947 in the Constituent Assembly, the prime minister said that Quaid had announced complete religious freedom to minorities.

Under the Quaid’s vision, the August 11 was being observed as a day to acknowledge minorities’ contribution and their identity, he added.

The prime minister observed that the constitution of the country had guaranteed protection to the minorities’ complete and equal rights and the government was ensuring equal rights to all minority communities.

“The Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, Christians, Parsi and other religious communities living in Pakistan are the independent citizens of the country where they enjoy equal rights and freedom to lead their lives according to their faiths,” the press release in Urdu language quoted the prime minister as saying.

He said that the government highly appreciated the role of minority people who were rendering services in different walks of life. They had been in the forefront of the country’s defence and laid down their lives for the protection of the motherland, he added.

He further stressed that they should play their role for the national progress without any discrimination and by displaying unity in their ranks.

The prime minister underlined that under Islamic teachings, the rights of minorities had been emphasized, adding tolerance, mutual respect and human rights protection without any discrimination were the identity of the Islamic society.

He said that the government had ensured protection to the minorities’ rights, their lives and properties and took solid steps for their welfare. Protection, looking after and embellishment of their sacred religious sites had been among the priorities of the government, he added.

The prime minister also stressed upon Ulema and public to promote forbearance, tolerance, peace and interfaith harmony among the people and work with all the institutions in this regard.

Pak armed forces chiefs felicitate minorities on their day 

On the other hand, the chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and three services chiefs have felicitated the minorities on their day.  

In a statement, the ISPR has said that the role played by minorities in the country’s development and progress cannot be overlooked.

“The day represents our inclusiveness and to march ahead together,” it has said, adding, “Giving rights to minorities, including the freedom to worship, is in line with the Islamic teachings and the country’s constitution.”

Bilawal commits to safeguarding rights of minorities

Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rights and fostering the development and empowerment of minorities in Pakistan.

He emphasized that the PPP will never compromise on these core principles.
In a statement issued by the Media Cell Bilawal House, Chairman PPP, on the occasion of National Minorities Day, underscored his party’s long-standing dedication to championing minority rights.

He highlighted that the consensus Constitution of 1973, a testament to the political vision of Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, guarantees equal rights, religious freedoms, and protections for all citizens of Pakistan.

Federal minister for Religious Affairs Ch Salik Hussain on the day

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Chaudhry Salik Hussain, in his message, has said that the services rendered by minorities in different walks of life is praiseworthy. 

He has said that there is representation of minorities even in the country's flag. "Our constitution guarantees to minorities their rights. 

The minister said the people belonging to minority communities had complete freedom to worship and perform other rituals of their religions. "It is not only the government's but the duty of each and every Pakistani to respect the rights of minorities. We all are united for the country's defence, stability and progress."  

Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz’s message

In her message, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has said that on this day she salutes each and every member of minority communities. “Father of the Nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had said that every citizen of the state was free to go to his or her place of worship,” she has said, adding, “Equality and tolerance are the traits of a democracy.”

Maryam has said that all citizens are equal irrespective of their religion, caste or sect. “We all are flowers of the same bouquet,” she commented.   

Reporters: Ahmad Mansoor and Usman Khan