President Mamnoon Hussain has said that the government is committed to protect the lives and properties of minority communities, making concerted efforts to uplift the socio-economic conditions of non-Muslims living in Pakistan and to bring them in the mainstream of society so that they can contribute in nation building.
While addressing a delegation led by MNA Isphanyar M Bhandara during a dinner hosted in honour of members of religious minorities at Aiwan-e-Sadr, the president said that the government is determined to make Pakistan a progressive, democratic and moderate Islamic country wherein fundamental rights of all citizens including of minorities would be protected besides promoting interfaith harmony.
The president said that the present government had re-constituted the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) on July 16, 2014 to promote interfaith harmony and redress the grievances of the minority communities. He said that the government has declared August 11 as Minorities Day in Pakistan to promote understanding and harmony among all segments of society. This manifests the commitment of the government to secure interests and rights of the minorities, added the president.
The president said that although minorities constitute 2.5 per cent of the country’s population, the government of Pakistan has fixed a 5 per cent quota for minorities in all federal services.
Hussain mentioned that religious festivals of minorities are celebrated each year at official level which indicated the commitment of the government of Pakistan to advance interfaith harmony in the country.
The president said that the government has always extended financial assistance to minority communities under Minorities Welfare Fund for their socio-economic uplift. He emphasised, “We all needed to work together to promote genuine dialogue, cooperation and understanding amongst all cultures, faiths and civilisations.”
The delegation of religious minorities assured their full support and cooperation to the government and the armed forces in fight against terrorism. The delegation also thanked the president for meeting and expressed commitment to continue making collective efforts toward national development of Pakistan.
