President Dr Arif Alvi has said that steps were being taken to provide equal opportunities to minorities and protect their rights as enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan. He added that minorities were playing an active role in the development of the country and the Government was making serious efforts to ensure their inclusion in the political and economic systems of the country. The President expressed these views while talking to a delegation of National Minorities Commission (NCM), led by Chairman NCM, Mr Chela Ram Kewlani, which called on him, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, today. Chairman, Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, Moulana Syed Abdul Khabir Azad, Mr Jaipal Chhabria, Mufti Gulzar Naeemi, Mr Vishno Raja, Dr Sara Safdar and other members of the NCM attended the meeting.
Talking to the delegation, the President said that the Government was taking measures for the protection and maintenance of all worship places of minorities, including the churches, shrines, temples and gurdwaras. He highlighted that in addition to general merit, the Government had allocated 5% job quota for minorities and was providing scholarships and financial assistance to students belonging to minority groups. He stated that the youth and women from minority groups could avail business loans on easy terms and conditions under the Prime Minister’s Kamyab Jawan Program. While regretting the fact that minority quota in Federal Government jobs remained unutilized, the President urged the minority leaders to encourage the youth in their communities to get education and avail the employment opportunities being provided by the Government.
The delegation apprised the President about their issues and the President assured them of taking all possible steps to address their problems. The delegation also lauded the efforts of the President for taking a keen interest in the welfare of minorities and promoting inter-faith harmony.
The President commended the NCM’s efforts in safeguarding the rights of minorities and expressed the hope that it would continue to play its role in promoting religious harmony and peace in the country.
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