Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs and Human Rights, Khalil Tahir Sandhu has said that minorities played a significant role in Pakistan movement and are contributing to the progress and stability of the country.
He was addressing a seminar on the role of minorities in Pakistan Movement at Forman Christian College, here today. Vice principal of the college, Registrar Dr. Hamid Saeed, Kalyan Singh, Arun Kumar Kundani, Amernath Randhawa, Michelle Chaudhry, Dr. Azaria, Anthony Richard and Dr. Christy Munir also addressed the seminar and highlighted the role of minorities for the creation of Pakistan and its progress and development.
The event was attended by a large number of students and teachers and representatives of religious minorities. Khalil Tahir Sandhu said that March 23 reminds of the historic struggle of the people of the subcontinent under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam for the establishment of an independent country. He said that minorities have played a commendable role for creation of Pakistan and development of different sectors especially education, defence and health.
Paying tribute to the services of minorities for social and economic development of the country, Khalil Tahir Sandhu said that minorities have equal rights under the constitution of Pakistan and Quaid-e-Azam in his speech on August 11 had highlighted their role as Pakistanis.
Referring to the history of Pakistan Movement, Khalil Tahir Sandhu said that Christian community had decided voluntarily to support Pakistan and make every sacrifice for its creation. He also referred to the role of educational institutions being run by Christian community and paid rich tribute to the services of Ralia Ram, Headmaster Fazal Elahi, Dewan Bahadur, SP Singha, Jogindarnath Mandal, Lalu Koto Ram, Justice Alvin Robert Cornelius, Joshua Fazal Din, labour leader Alfred Parshard, Theodore Phailbus and others.
Khalil Tahir Sandhu appreciated the steps taken by Punjab government for the welfare and betterment of minorities and termed the support of the Punjab chief minister to minorities as exemplary. He also informed that religious harmony committees will be set up by the department of human rights and minorities affairs in 36 districts, five per cent quota for minorities in government jobs, scholarships of 300 million rupees for minority students, return of Gordon College and Murray College to minorities, annual development package of one billion rupees to minorities, marriage registration and measures under National Action Plan, Christians bazaars, women packages and elimination of child labour and domestic violence.
A special documentary film was also exhibited on the occasion showing the services of minorities in Pakistan Movement and different walks of life, while special prayers were offered for the prosperity of the country.
