President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday said that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) knew well how to protect its supporters, as he reiterated the government’s commitment to the welfare of the non-Muslims living in the country.
Talking to PPP deputy parliamentary leader in the Punjab Assembly, Shaukat Basra at the Services Hospital, President Zardari said that the PPP appreciated the zeal of its supporters and would not abandon them in any circumstances. Basra was injured on Sunday after he was baton-charged by the police when he visited the camp of protesting doctors to express his solidarity with the young medical practitioners who were protesting for improving their service conditions.
Later talking to Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Chairman Syed Asif Hashmi at the Governor’s House, the president appreciated ETPB’s efforts for facilitating and safeguarding the rights of the minorities. Governor Punjab Makhdoom Syed Ahmad Mehmud was also present during the meeting.
The ETPB chairman briefed the president about various steps taken by the board for welfare of the minorities in the country and facilitating pilgrims.
Recounting various measures undertaken by the present government for welfare of minorities, including allocation of reserved seats in the Senate, five percent job quota in all federal government jobs, commemorating 11th August every year as Minority Day, establishment of a hotline for the timely redressal of grievances of the non-Muslim citizens, the president said that the government would continue to protect and safeguard the rights of the minorities as enshrined in the constitution.
President Zardari advised ETPB chairman to ensure that the religious places of the minorities were protected and saved from encroachments.
President administers oath: The president also administered oath to Senator Abbas Khan Afridi as federal minister in a ceremony held at the Governor House.
