Provincial Minister for Labour and Mineral Development, Anisa Zaib Tahirkheli Tuesday said that recent acts of violence against minorities including Sikh and Muslims in India have totally negated its claims of secularism.
Tahirkheli said intolerant behaviour against minorities and Pakistani citizens in India is being closely watched by the International Community as these incidents during the Government of Prime Minister Narander Moodi were a big stigma on the face of Indian secularism.
The Minister during an exclusive interview with APP here at her office said that on one side Muslims are being subjected to victimization in India while on the other hand the PM of Pakistan attended Hindus’ Diwali celebrations in Karachi by giving a strong message that minorities are equally important for the government as well as Muslims of Pakistan.
Tahirkheli who attended a function in connection with Diwali celebrations here at Peshawar few days back said our religion Islam laid great emphasis on protection of rights of minorities, adding Hindus, Sikhs, Christians and other minorities are equally important for the Federal and KP government like that of Muslims. She said minorities are enjoying full religious freedom in Pakistan.
On the other hand, she deplored that minorities including Muslims are being subjected to victimization and torture in India and this discriminatory treatment with minorities has resulted in defeat of BJP in Behar elections.
“Enemy did not want progress and prosperity of Pakistan and we should be very careful of the enemy’s designs,” she said, adding we need to give space to each others’ schools of thought and it is a high time of setting aside differences by working together to frustrate the nefarious designs of the enemy with unity and cohesion.
The Minister said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Project (CPEC) was of very importance for the country that would give boost to all major sectors including mines and mineral in KPK.
She said CPEC would generate employment opportunities besides promoting trade and investment in the country including KP.
Explaining her priorities, the Minister said Allah Almighty has bestowed us with valuable mines and mineral potential and the government would fully tap these treasures for benefits of masses.
The minister admitted that precious marbles are being wasted due to outdated excavation procedure, incorrect cutting and digging operations and lack of technical knowhow of the laborers.
