Minorities’ contribution vital for national prosperity: President Mamnoon

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain on Friday said that minorities’ contribution, being part of the national mainstream, was vital for the country’s progress.

In his message on Minorities Day, the president said Pakistan was the land of people belonging to different castes, creeds and religions and its constitution made minorities an important part of the national mainstream.

He said August 11 was the day to reiterate this national cause and that a significant number of minorities had played a remarkable role in national history in the fields of defence, health, education and fine arts.

“The day gives an opportunity to acknowledge and pay tribute to those who contributed immensely for national development and prosperity,” he said.

President Mamnoon also said that several attempts were made to harm national unity by inciting communal differences; however, he added that such unfortunate incidents had completely been rejected by the minority community.

“This is the strength of Pakistani society that has helped the state in eliminating such miscreant elements,” he said.

In recent elections, he said, several candidates belonging to the minority community had taken part on general seats and termed it a positive change in national determination against the ills of intolerance.

He expressed confidence that the journey of national harmony would continue in light of teachings of Muhammad Ali Jinnah and would result in providing all Pakistanis a level-playing field to achieve sustainable progress and prosperity.