National day of minorities: ‘Minorities safer here than in some other countries’

Role of minority communities in nation-building discussed at ceremony

LAHORE: “Minority citizens in Pakistan are safer compared to some other countries in the region,” Minister for Human Rights and Minority Affairs Khalil Tahir Sindhu said on Thursday.

He was addressing a ceremony held to mark the national day of minorities at Alhamra on The Mall.

“The Constitution has guaranteed rights of citizens of the country without distinction of religion, race or colour,” he said. The minister said many non-Muslims had taken part in the independence movement against British colonisers. “Their sacrifices have not been forgotten.”

He said the provincial government was working to secure rights of various minorities.

“A five per cent quota has been fixed for minority citizens in recruitment to jobs in pay scales 1 to 17. More than 5,000 jobs will be created for minorities,” he said.

The minister said the government was providing special grants for non-Muslim workers for Holi, Christmas and Diwali.

“More than 3,000 students from minority communities have received scholarships over the last four years.”

“There has been a marked increase in the budget of Human Rights and Minority Affairs Department,” he said. “A directorate for minorities will also be set up in the department.”

Minister for Higher Education Zakia Shahnawaz was also present at the ceremony.

“The while star and crescent on our flag is a reminder that we must protect our non-Muslim citizens,” she said.

National Assembly Member Darshan Laal praised the efforts of the Hindu community in Pakistan. Parliamentary Secretary for Human Rights and Minority Affairs Tariq Gill spoke on the contributions of Christians and praised the steps of the provincial government for their empowerment.

Provincial Assembly Member Ramesh Singh Arora spoke about the contribution Sikh citizens for Pakistan.

Participants of the ceremony also paid tribute to slain minorities minister Shehbaz Aziz Bhatti Shaheed. Awards were distributed among social workers at the ceremony. Sindhu distributed the awards. A two-minute silence was observed for the martyrs of the Quetta attack.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 12^th, 2016.