Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari affirmed Pakistan’s dedication to safeguarding the rights and welfare of its minority populations. He emphasized their integral role in the nation’s growth and advancement, highlighting their constitutionally protected freedoms and safety. Zardari condemned discrimination, extremism, and violence, declaring them incompatible with societal values and threats to national unity.
The leader outlined governmental actions aimed at fostering inclusivity and equal opportunities, including designated legislative seats, job quotas in public sectors, and educational scholarships for minority students.
Addressing the National Minorities Day gathering at Aiwan-e-Sadr, Zardari was commended by minority community leaders for establishing August 11th as National Minorities Day during his initial presidency. They hailed this 2009 decision as a landmark recognition of their contributions and rights.
He pledged prompt action to reclaim illegally occupied religious sites, promising to direct the administration to ensure their swift return to their rightful custodians.
Zardari pointed to the National Policy for Interfaith Harmony as a framework to encourage religious tolerance and strengthen social cohesion among various faith communities.
Citing Islamic principles of peace, justice, and human dignity as enshrined in the Charter of Madina, the President emphasized the equal rights afforded to all communities. He invoked Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s vision of a Pakistan where every individual, irrespective of faith, enjoys equal rights, a principle that continues to shape national strategies.
Concluding his address, Zardari urged a unified commitment to creating an inclusive and robust nation, ensuring equality, mutual respect, and legal protection for all, empowering every citizen to contribute to a shared national future.