KARACHI – The Sindh government would allocate Rs 250 million for minorities in the next budget and presently, many projects are under way for their welfare at a cost of Rs 100 million, Adviser to Sindh Chief Minister on Information and Archives, Sharmila Farooqui said on Monday.
“These funds will be used to renovate minorities’ religious and cultural places, give stipends for poor students and provide financial assistance to needy families,” she said while talking to a delegation of minorities at her office.
“Minorities in Pakistan have been given their due rights and according to the Constitution of 1973, they enjoy complete freedom of expression and the liberty to follow their religious rituals,” she added.
She said that Benazir Bhutto wanted provision of basic rights to minorities and this dream is being fulfilled by President Asif Ali Zardari through his political reconciliation policy. Farooqui appreciated that minorities are running welfare institutions and also praised their educational system.
“Minorities are working for the progress of the country and paying their constructive role against extremism and terrorism,” she added. She said that the present government would foil all conspiracies against democracy with the support of the masses and the enemies of peace would never succeed in their ulterior motives.
She said that the country would not be able to make any progress unless all democratic forces perform their duties.
The adviser said that maintaining law and order in Karachi is among the top priorities of the government and peace would be restored in the city with the support of the government’s coalition partners. On the occasion, members of the delegation Ashoke Kumar and Joseph Stephen informed the adviser about the minorities’ problems.
The adviser assured them that she would discuss their problems with the president and the chief minister.
