The President and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has issued a message on the National Day of Minorities and said that every Pakistani has the right to live according to his faith.
President Asif Ali Zardari said in his message that our religion Islam fully recognizes the protection of the rights of minorities. This day is celebrated in recognition of the role of minorities in the socio-economic development of Pakistan.
Asif Ali Zardari said that he will stick to the promise of August 11, 1947 by Quaid-i-Azam to protect the rights and religious freedoms of minorities. Minorities have all the political, economic and social rights guaranteed in the Constitution of Pakistan.
He said that we have allocated 5 percent quota for minorities in government jobs, seats are reserved for them in both houses of Parliament. Initiatives are being taken to fund scholarships for minority students, repair and maintenance of places of worship.
The President of Pakistan further said that every Pakistani has the right to live without discrimination of religion, caste, color or race. Pakistan will protect the rights of minorities and give them equal opportunities to advance.
On this occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in his message that today on the occasion of the National Day of Minorities, I wish all the minorities living in Pakistan. I pay tribute to him for his outstanding role in the development and prosperity of the country.
Shahbaz Sharif said that the purpose of celebrating National Minorities Day at the official level is to express solidarity with the minorities living in Pakistan and to acknowledge their services for the state of Pakistan. Our minority community played a key role in Pakistan Movement.
He said that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had declared complete religious freedom for minorities in a historic speech in the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan on August 11, 1947 regarding the rights of minorities.
He further said that we are committed to protect the rights of the minorities and their development and prosperity and today once again we strongly reiterate this commitment. The government of Pakistan is taking practical steps for the welfare of the religious minority community.
