President Mamnoon Hussain has said that all possible measures will be taken to promote religious harmony in the country adding that in this regard, it is the responsibility of the entire nation to work for the stability and supremacy of our country by keeping all our differences aside.
The President said this while addressing the ceremony of National Minorities Day organized by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Friday. Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, Federal Minister for SAFRON Lt. General ® Abdul Qadir Baloch, Minister of State for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Pir Muhammad Amin ul Hasnat Shah, Parliamentary Secretary for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Khalil George, parliamentarian and diplomats also attend the ceremony.
The President stated that the basis of religious tolerance in Pakistan is not only based on the provisions provided in the constitution and laws but our cultural traditions and religious teachings also provide its foundation. He emphasized that the values of brotherhood and equal treatment to all citizens of the country are embedded in our minds and if any citizen of the country faces any hardship then all of us feel his pain. He underscored that this feeling is part of our temperament, education and training and added that this passion will lead Pakistan towards its real destination and development.
The President noted that that sometimes some incidents occur in different parts of the country which affect religious harmony and tolerance. He further stressed that neither the people of Pakistan support such undesirable acts nor the law of this land and our beliefs allow such conduct. He underlined that only a handful of misguided people are responsible for such incidents which bring bad name to our religion, country and the nation. He also said that sometimes materialistic interests are behind incidents against minorities adding that the Government will leave no stone unturned to crush these elements.
The President stated that Minorities have always played a proactive role in the development and progress of the motherland and their sacrifices in the defence of the country are less than none. He lauded the bravery and valor displayed by the non-Muslim military officers and soldiers during wars with enemies and said that it will be mentioned in golden letters in history. Similarly, he added that the services of our non-Muslim brothers and sisters in the fields of medicine and education are remarkable for which the nation is grateful to them.
The President further said that the Minorities Day should not only be celebrated as a tradition but as a national duty in order to promote brotherhood and fraternity in the country in accordance with the teachings of the Father of the Nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He also highlighted that the sayings of Quaid-e-Azam regarding the minorities are basis of our national policy. He also stated that the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees complete religious and cultural freedom and protection of the rights of the minorities and they are also fully involved in affairs of the state. He pointed out that in order to fulfill these constitutional requirements the Government is constantly engaged to ensure satisfaction and protection of non-Muslim communities so that no citizen of the country could complain of discriminatory treatment.
Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf and representative of various religious communities also addressed the ceremony.
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