Arch
bishop Ms. Antje Jackelen called on Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith
Harmony, Sardar Muhammad Yousuf here today. Minister
welcomed bishop and highlighted the important role being played by the
Christian community in the country’s development. People of all faiths,
religion and sects are enjoying equal rights in Pakistan according to their
religion and Constitution of 1973 provided these rights of equality, minister
said.
Ministry of Interfaith Harmony is
trying to create harmony among all religions and to create unity in Pakistan, minister
said. All people are equal here, spend their lives freely according to their
religion and one has no superiority on other, minister cited quotation of Quaid-e-Azam.
Minister informed the dignitary about
the measures taken by the government for ensuring the welfare and security of
religious minorities. He said that the numbers of seats are reserved for the
minorities in the national and provincial assemblies and minorities, especially
Christians, had made significant contribution to the development activities in
Pakistan.
There are some incidents of religious
violence in Pakistan which create negative image of Pakistan but our ministry
is striving hard to deal with it and ministry is trying to provide financial
assistance to aggrieved person although compensation cannot reverse the lose,
minister said.
Archbishop applauded the steps taken
by the government for protecting the rights of minorities and called for
greater interfaith dialogue to achieve the goals of peace and development for
all. She appreciated speedy response of government to crisis belong to
interfaith disharmony.
