Minister for State for National Harmony Akram Masih Gill has said minorities’ protection bill will soon be tabled in the National Assembly to introduce Marriage Registration Act for Sikh, Hindu, Parsi and Bhai communities in the country.
The minister was talking to Australian High Commissioner Mr. Tim George who called on him here on Thursday to discuss national harmony and minorities issues in Pakistan. Second Secretary Political of Australian High Commission Ms. Fiona Hamilton was also present in the meeting.
The minister hailed the interest of the Australian Government for the welfare of the minorities in Pakistan and government policy towards national harmony.
He said that the government of Pakistan was committed to uplift the minorities socially, by economic empowerment and by removing discriminatory actions against the non-Muslims. He said that the government aimed to provide the minorities with equal opportunities of development.
The minister said that interfaith harmony was government’s top priority in the efforts to promote friendly relations between the Muslims and non-Muslims in the country. He added that interfaith harmony committees are being re-activated at district levels for this very purpose purpose.
The minister sought help of the Australian government to provide clean drinking water to minorities’ populated areas, to establish skill training centres in order to empower them economically, and to set up rehabilitation centres for the drug addicts, as part of the government’s efforts to bring these addicts towards normal life.
The ambassador told the minister that scholarships for minority students will be ensured and he will talk at higher level to provide clean drinking water to the minorities.
