Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif stated that the present democratic government stands committed to ensure equal rights for all minority communities as enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan and UN Declaration of Human Rights.
“It is our moral, religious and social obligation to strengthen the bond of brotherhood and promote the culture of tolerance in our country. Minorities are partners in the development of Pakistan,” the prime minister said in his message on the Minorities Day being observed on Thursday (August 11).
Minorities Day is an occasion to recognise the role of minorities in nation building and renew our commitment to protect their rights and promote national harmony amongst the followers of diverse faiths, he said.
The prime minister added that it is also time to remember the great sacrifices rendered by minorities living in Pakistan and to be sensitised to the problems and issues they face.
“Minorities Day reminds all of us to reaffirm our solidarity for the betterment of humanity and a prosperous Pakistan,” he added.
The prime minister said August 11 has a special significance in our national calendar as it was on this day in 1947 when Father of the Nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in his historic speech to the members of the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan, laid down the foundations of a modern, tolerant and progressive Pakistan.
“The present democratic government is driven by the vision of the Quaid-e-Azam for protecting the rights of minorities. The recognition and respect for the rights of minorities is part of our manifesto,” he added.
The prime minister said the objective of celebrating this day is to acknowledge the valuable contributions, highlight their rights and promote inter-faith harmony.
“The core principle for celebrating this day is to enable people of every faith live in peace as they choose. It must be understood that the state belongs to every Pakistani irrespective of religious affiliations and faiths. Pakistan is our motherland and it is the duty for all of us to help it advance and flourish,” he maintained.
The only way forward is to implement Jinnah’s vision. Celebrating minority day is lip service. Jinnah said that religion is not the business of the state so the parliament should take that step so Pakistan is no longer a religious republic where all citizens regardless of their religion are truly equal as Jinnah envisioned.
Islamic republic of pakistan tolerating religioues minorities.LOL
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