KARACHI:
It is among the prime responsibility of a state to provide protection to the minorities and ensure safety of their places of worship. A heart-wrenching incident took place in Karak district of K-P in which a mob vandalised a Hindu shrine. Incidents of similar nature have taken place in our country in the past.
In his 11th August 1947 speech to the first Constituent Assembly of Pakistan, Mr Jinnah said, “You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques, or to any other places of worship in the State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed — that has nothing to do with the business of the State … We are starting with this fundamental principle: that we are all citizens and equal citizens of one State.”
The Constitution guarantees protection to minorities and their legitimate rights and interests. There is need to ensure that the Constitution is abided by in letter and spirit.
Haris Yousafzai
Swabi
Published in The Express Tribune, January 19th, 2021.
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