Pakistan is observing National Minorities Day on Tuesday to recognise the contributions of religious and ethnic minorities to the country and reaffirm the commitment to their rights and equal citizenship.
The observance, held every year on Aug 11, was formally introduced in 2009 during the tenure of former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani. The day also commemorates the historic address delivered by Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah to the Constituent Assembly on Aug 11, 1947, in which he emphasised equal rights and religious freedom for all citizens.
In his message, President Asif Ali Zardari called for renewing the commitment to building a Pakistan based on justice, equality, tolerance and service to humanity.
He extended his greetings to all Pakistanis, particularly members of religious and ethnic minorities, and acknowledged their contributions to the country’s development.
The president said members of minority communities had played a prominent role in conflicts and wars as well as in health, education and other fields, and continued to contribute to national progress.
“The entire nation is proud of their national services, patriotism and significant contribution to the country’s holistic progress and development,” he said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his message, said National Minorities Day was observed to acknowledge the invaluable role of minorities, their inclusion in the national mainstream and their contributions to the country’s progress and prosperity.He described minorities as an integral part of Pakistan’s national fabric and said their presence reflected the country’s diverse social and cultural landscape.
Recalling Jinnah’s Aug 11, 1947 address, the prime minister said the founder of Pakistan had unequivocally affirmed the rights of minorities, declaring that people were free to visit their places of worship and that religion, caste and creed had no bearing on the affairs of the state.
Mr Shehbaz said the Quaid’s historic words continued to hold an important place in Pakistan’s social order and system of governance.
He said the occasion served as a reaffirmation of the country’s commitment to unity, peaceful coexistence, mutual respect and equal opportunities for all citizens, regardless of their faith, culture or background.
