Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Tuesday called for removal of distrust and misunderstandings among the followers of different religions for fostering greater understanding, tolerance and respect for all.
Addressing a ceremony organised by the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance on the first death anniversary of slain religious affairs minister Shahbaz Bhatti here at the Convention Centre, the PM said that all religions teach great values like tolerance, accommodation, peaceful co-existence, equality and respect for the rights of all people without any discrimination.
He said the government was fully committed to the sacred principles of peaceful co-existence, tolerance an equality to make Pakistan a shining example of interfaith harmony.
“This is exactly the goal which is in accordance with vision of our great leader Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah,” he said, adding that the creation of the Ministry of National Harmony at the federal level was a step towards promoting harmony among different faiths and religions.
He said the ministry had been tasked to actively engage in dialogue with scholars and leaders of all faiths to develop a national policy.
“My government has proposed interfaith coordination as a practical and long-term response to attain peace on sustainable basis … We are making all-out efforts to impart the sense of equal citizenship so far as fundamental rights pertaining to safety, security, honour, life, liberty and properties of the minorities are concerned,” he added.
Gilani said his government was committed to the welfare of minorities and had taken a number of practical steps in this regard, including the allocation of four reserved seats for minorities in the Senate and 5 percent quota in government jobs for the minorities.
Eulogising the services of Bhatti, the prime minister said the slain minister had contributed a lot for the cause and rights of his people, and his struggle for the minorities was memorable.
He said Bhatti could have saved his life, but chose not to compromise on his principles. He said Bhatti was a committed member of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) who had unflinching faith in Pakistan under the dynamic leadership of Benazir Bhutto.
Gilani said Bhatti was a great supporter of interfaith harmony, religious freedom, religious tolerance, and equal rights for the minorities. The prime minister said Bhatti launched country-wide campaign for interfaith harmony to bring peace in the country and he was a strong believer in the ideals of human dignity. “It was also the contribution of Shahbaz Bhatti to declare August 11 as Minorities’ Day, and the government decided to celebrate the religious functions at official level … Now prayer rooms have been established in all prisons of the country and vernacular name of Christians was changed from Essahi to Masihi on the suggestion of Mr Bhatti,” he added.
Referring to the role of religious scholars, Gilani appreciated the role of the scholars of different faiths who had consistently professed and practised the ideals of integrity and harmony within the Pakistan.
He appreciated the efforts and contribution of all the political forces, religious scholars and leaders of different faiths to make sincere efforts for better and stable Pakistan.
Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Dr Farooq Sattar, Adviser to Prime Minister on National Harmony Paul Bhatti, Senator Kamran Michael, Abdul Khabeer Azad, Bishop Alexander John Malik, representatives of minorities from different parts of the country, besides Ambassador of Holy Sea to Pakistan also spoke on the occasion and appreciated the contribution of Shahbaz Bhatti for the Christian community.
