Accountability main pillar of welfare state: PM

Imran reiterates his government’s resolve to protect minorities’ rights

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday termed accountability an important component of a welfare state and said the politicians convicted in corruption cases could not bring even a single documentary proof.

The PM said this at an event titled ‘One land, one flag & one nation’ held in connection with Minority Day at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.

He said over the last 10 years, the looters of public exchequer inflicted financial loss of Rs24,000 billion to the country and now were calling their accountability political victimisation.

The ‘elite’ have television and air-conditioners in their jail cells, while the majority does not even have access to basic education, he added.

In his address, Premier Imran reiterated his government’s resolve to protect the rights of minorities, including the places of worship and change the mindset of people in line with Islamic injunctions.

He mentioned that steps had been taken to facilitate the Sikh community through Kartarpur Corridor, which would be opened for the 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak in November.

“Hindu temples and Sikh Gurdwaras will be restored and protected,” said the premier.

The prime minister also spoke against radicals and said Islam does not ask for the forced conversion of minorities.

“The mindset of these radicals should be changed. Islam is a religion of peace, not compulsion. Those who convert others by force do not know Islam at all,” said the premier.

He furthered his speech with examples from the early days of Islam, stating that Pakistan will prosper if it follows the administrative model of the state of Medina.

“Nations without a vision die; our vision should be following Riyasat-e-Medina.”

PM Imran added that a Muslim state’s idea of egalitarianism should be based on the fundamentals of Islam’s first state.

Prime Minister Imran Khan said the State of Medina was a civilized model of governance that needed to be implemented in Pakistan.

He announced chairs will be set up at the country’s leading universities for in-depth study of the subject. He said the PhD degree research would be conducted on the world’s first welfare State of Medina, which embodied principles of rule of law, justice, peace and equality for all regardless of race, religion and gender.

Addressing the ceremony, President Dr Arif Alvi also reiterated that the ideas of the Riasat-i-Madina be brought to Pakistan.

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony Pir Noorul Haq Qadri said for the last one year, the ministry had taken special steps to mark holy events of all faiths including Christmas, Holi, Dewali, Besakhi, and others.

Representatives of different religious communities also shared their views on the occasion and expressed commitment to continue contributing for the country’s solidarity and prosperity.

Bishop of Lahore Irfan Jamil said the Christian community was playing significant role in fields of education, medicine, social work and even in the armed forces.

He called for implementation of five per cent reserved job quota for minorities in true letter and spirit, elimination of hate material from syllabus and also legislation related to Christian marriage and divorce.

Parliamentary Secretary for Human Rights in National Assembly Lal Chand Malhi representing the Hindu community expressed satisfaction that presence of both the president and the prime minister at the event for minorities showed their seriousness in making Pakistan a reflection of the Quaid’s vision. Isphanyar Bhandara speaking on behalf of Parsi community said protection of minorities was linked with the country’s solidarity and urged the government to rename the major roads as earlier in the names of prominent non-Muslim personalities.

(WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP)