Minority rights: Pakistan to host interfaith conference

ISLAMABAD: In a bid to promote a soft image of the country and develop interfaith harmony, Pakistan will hold an international interfaith conference in September in which leaders of different faiths from more than 50 countries will participate.

Speaking at a press conference, Minister for National Harmony and All Pakistan Minorities Alliance Chairman Dr Paul Bhatti said that their aim is to make Pakistan a democratic country as per the vision of the Quaid-e-Azam by promoting harmony and co-existence with religious diversity. He pointed out that the seats of non-Muslims have been increased in the National Assembly, Senate and provincial assemblies to ensure equal rights for non-Muslims.

He added that religious, political and social leaders of all non-Muslims living in Pakistan will meet on July 25 and evolve a census to decide a suitable electoral system. Non-Muslims occupied 10% of the seats in Parliament till the recent increment.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 23^rd, 2012.