Minorities enjoy all political, economic and social rights: President

LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari said minorities in Pakistan enjoy all political, economic and social rights which have been guaranteed by the Constitution of Pakistan.

“On this day, we reaffirm our commitment to the promise made by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, on 11 August 1947, to the country’s minorities to protect their rights and religious freedoms, he said on the eve of Minorities Day observed in Pakistan on August 11.

President Zardari said our religion Islam also fully recognizes and advocates the protection of the rights of minorities. “I am glad to say that Pakistan has taken a number of steps for the political, social and economic empowerment of minorities,” he said.

In this regard, the president a said, “We have allocated a 5% quota for minorities in government jobs and separate seats in both houses of the Parliament to encourage them to play an effective role in the political and national development of the country.

Additionally, the president said steps are being taken to provide financial assistance to poor and deserving individuals, marriage grants, scholarships to students from minority communities for their education, besides the provision of funds for the repair/maintenance of their worship places.

He said Pakistan is committed to ensuring the protection of religious, social, political and economic rights of its minorities. He said every Pakistani has the right to live according to their faith, irrespective of their religion, caste, colour or creed.

“I urge all segments of society, including the religious scholars, representatives of minorities and the media to educate the people about their rights and work for promoting interfaith harmony, the spirit of love, tolerance, brotherhood and unity to make Pakistan a strong country,” he said.

President Asif Ali Zardari assure all minorities that Pakistan will make every effort to safeguard their rights and provide them equal opportunities to excel in life.

“I am confident that the minorities of Pakistan will continue to play their positive role towards the country’s development. I congratulate them on the special day and I wish them all the best in their future endeavours,” he said.

Meanwhile, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said that minorities are the crown of our head, and there will be a historic session of the Punjab Assembly today (Sunday) regarding minorities.

“Our mission is to eliminate fear, insecurity, and deprivation from the hearts of minorities. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz, historic measures are being taken to ensure the protection of minority rights. A resolution will be presented in the Punjab Assembly on August 11 to mark National Minorities Day, and the services of religious minorities will be acknowledged,” Azma made these remarks at a press conference at the DGPR.

On this occasion, Minister for Minority Affairs Ramesh Singh Arora said: “This year’s August 11 will be a significant day in Pakistan’s history as, for the first time in Punjab’s history, the International Day of Minorities will be observed in the Punjab Assembly. On August 11, 1947, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah made it clear that people would be free to go to their places of worship. Today, the Punjab government is taking historic steps to fulfil this promise.”

He added that Maryam Nawaz had distributed grants to the Christian community during Easter in Maryamabad and initiated the harvest festival by harvesting crops during Baisakhi, making history with the enactment of the Sikh Marriage Act rules.

The provincial minister further stated that the Minority Development Fund has been increased, and grants have also seen a significant rise.

In response to a question, Azma Bokhari expressed the desire that the opposition should participate in constructive work rather than causing disruptions and should stand with minorities on their National Day.

Azma said that August brings a message of joy to the Pakistanis, but the happiness and joy that Arshad Nadeem has given to the nation on this Independence Day are beyond words. “Certainly, Arshad Nadeem’s victory has made our Independence Day more glorious. Many people win with the help of their entire team and start considering themselves national heroes and champions.

However, a so-called champion who had led the country into trouble has been neglected by the nation. On the other hand, Arshad Nadeem from Mian Channu fought alone and made the entire nation proud. It is unfortunate that whenever this nation unites or experiences happiness, it seems to trigger discomfort in certain disruptive and anarchist groups. They constantly seek out disturbances and mischief that spoil the joy.” Azma noted that it is a fact that the Youth Festival was initiated by Mian Shehbaz Sharif, but it was shut down by a so-called athlete. Many talented players, including Arshad Nadeem, emerged from the youth festivals, which benefited Pakistan.

“Upon his return, Arshad Nadeem will receive a grand welcome, along with a Rs10 crore reward and Pakistan’s highest civilian award. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced to set up a sports city in Mian Channu, in consultation with Arshad Nadeem,” said the minister.

Meanwhile, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to protecting the rights and promoting the development and empowerment of minorities in Pakistan.

“The PPP will never compromise on these core principles,” he said on the eve of National Minorities Day and underscored his party’s long-standing dedication to championing minority rights.

He highlighted that the consensus Constitution of 1973, a testament to the political vision of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, guarantees equal rights, religious freedoms, and protections for all Pakistanis.

“My mother, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, envisioned a Pakistan where people of all faiths could coexist in harmony and with dignity,” he added.

Bilawal also noted that the observance of National Minorities Day was instituted by President Asif Ali Zardari during his first tenure, to recognize the role of minorities in the nation’s fabric and promote tolerance and harmony in society.

“Our nation’s diversity is our greatest strength, and it is our collective duty to ensure that every citizen, irrespective of their faith or background, enjoys equal rights and opportunities,” he added, urging all Pakistanis to unite in the fight against discrimination and intolerance.

“As we observe National Minorities Day, let us renew our pledge to build a Pakistan that truly embodies the principles of justice, equality, and tolerance. Together, we can create a nation where every individual, regardless of religion or ethnicity, has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to our country’s prosperity,” Bilawal said.

Meanwhile, President Pakistan People’s Party Human Rights Cell former senator Farhatullah Babar urged the government to legislate an independent Commission on Minorities as directed by the Supreme Court in its verdict in June 2014.

“Minorities issues were human rights issues and the Bill in this connection should be piloted by the Ministry of Human Rights,” he said while addressing an event in connection with the Minorities Day organized by the PPP human rights cell at the Party’s central secretariat in Islamabad on Saturday.

Farhatullah Babar said the National Commission on Human Rights (NCHR), Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) and National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC) had already been set up under acts of Parliament but the Minorities Commission had still not been set up despite Court orders, he said.

Farhatullah Babar said the state has been heartless towards the minorities. “General Zia played fraud on the Constitution and the minorities when he deleted the word “freely” in the Preamble with reference to the rights of minorities and then made it a substantive part of the Constitution itself,” he said.

He said it has been reported that the scheduled caste Hindus were not allowed to migrate to India in early days of partition on the ground that they were needed in Pakistan for menial jobs.

He said that at a recent high profile public event in Islamabad it was stated that those who do not accept Shariat and the Constitution were not Pakistanis.

“Such comments are likely to be misrepresented and exploited by the extremists,” he said.

The president said the non-Muslims in Pakistan are not obligated to follow Sharia, but they are as much Pakistanis as their Muslim compatriots. He urged the government to not allow any misperceptions take root.

Farhatullah Babar said that minorities’ rights were the very basis of the demand for a separate homeland for the Muslims who were in a minority in undivided India.

He said Pakistan should therefore, more than any other country, ensured minorities’ rights in the new country.

“Unfortunately, it didn’t happen as the state began to drift along a different course. Today, the minorities in Pakistan feel alienated, marginalsed and even threatened for a variety of reasons. The state & society must ponder over it,” he said.