Pakistan

Will stand by you against injustice, PM tells Hindu community

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif attends Diwali function in Karachi

APP November 11, 2015

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif cuts a cake as part of the Diwali celebrations in Karachi on November 11, 2015. PHOTO: PID

KARACHI: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said all the religious communities living in Pakistan enjoyed equal rights and reiterated his stance to safeguard them against injustice.

"Every community living here whether Hindu, Muslim or Parsi, belongs to me and I belong to them. I am the prime minister of all communities," he said, while addressing a ceremony to mark the Hindu religious festival of Diwali.

Conveying his greetings to the huge gathering of Hindu community, the premier underlined the need for forging unity among all the communities.

"It's my duty to help and facilitate you. If you are in distress, I will stand with you. Even if a Muslim commits an injustice, I will stand with the victim," he added.

He said he felt immense pleasure in attending the event and told the organisers to invite him to all religious events of various communities.

"Even I would like to be among you in the colourful event of Holi," he added.

Meanwhile, PM Nawaz announced the construction of Bhagat Kunwar Ram Medical Complex in Hyderabad and the Guru Nanak Gurdwara.

He lauded the role played by the Hindu community in the development of the country, saying they played a significant role in the realms of education, judiciary, health and sports.

COMMENTS (19)

Indian | 9 years ago | Reply @Myth Buster: so why do 5000 hindus every year leave for indiaq from pakistan

Myth Buster | 9 years ago | Reply @vinsin: I see a lot of Indians misquoting this fact. You fail to take into account the impact of Pakistan's partition with Bangladesh on its population's composition. In the 1951 census, West Pakistan had 1.6% Hindu population, while East Pakistan (modern Bangladesh) had 22.05%. In 1997, the percentage of Hindus was 1.6% in Pakistan and 10.2% in Bangladesh. Therefore, the percentage of Hindus did not change in Pakistan. Rather, the drop in percentage is due to the overwhelming majority of Hindus falling into Bangladesh. I think you guys should focus more on getting Mr.Modi to make such a speech to its minorities instead of letting him being silent on beef lynchings.

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Rana Umair | 9 years ago | Reply What a speech!! A true statesman-like speech! We, as a nation, needed this speech the most! Thank you, Prime Minister, for not shying away and for being brave! This will go a long way in shutting the mouths of our mullahs!

Ch. Allah Daad | 9 years ago | Reply Happy Diwali.

ajeet | 9 years ago | Reply A nice gesture from Nawaz. Of all countries to west of India in Asia, Pakistan has the best potential if it stops the slide towards extremism and becomes a secular democracy.

sabi | 9 years ago | Reply That is one of the many reasons I like this man whose name is Nawaz Sharif.May his tribe grow.

Khan | 9 years ago | Reply @vinsin: You indians keep pulling up these dubious arguments. Hindus are 1.9% of pakistan, and they were 1.7% of west pakistan in 1951. So the population increased. You guys keep insinuating there was a secret hindu holocaust without realizing that most Hindus lived in east pakistan, so when Bangladesh broke away, the percentage of Hindus plummeted in pakistan not because of genocide but because of statistics. If you keep spreading lies, it won't just become truth.

vertigo | 9 years ago | Reply Agree, this gesture is a good one. Left to himself, NS seems balanced in his approach and response.

Vinsin | 9 years ago | Reply In Sindh province Hindu population is more than 7% .

Hameed | 9 years ago | Reply LOL...if you believe this you'l believe anything.

M.S. | 9 years ago | Reply Most courageous statement made by any leader in the history of Pakistan.

pk | 9 years ago | Reply Hindus are already washed out, to whom you are talking?

vinsin | 9 years ago | Reply After reducing Hindus to 1%, I think this gesture is too late but nonetheless still matters.

Topgun | 9 years ago | Reply Excellent gesture. This should shut extremists in Pakistan and a lesson in minority rights 101 for modi.

Ravi | 9 years ago | Reply Thank you Mr. PM. You have officially won my vote for next elections. Happy diwali

curious2 | 9 years ago | Reply Sounds great - but so do most of the speeches and promises made by Pakistan officials. Nobody places much reliance on words anymore - time for action.

Vakil | 9 years ago | Reply I salute you Nawaz sahab for saying such wonderful words!! Remains to be seen though whether or not they are actually implemented on the ground, not just on festive occasions like this but on a day-to-day basis (where it really matters!) If only Pakistan and its leaders had adopted such a course from Day 1 of their existence i.e. post 1947 they would have been ahead of India in every way... But anyways, here's my wish to Nawaz sahab -- "Shubh Deepavali" (Happy Diwali) to you and your family.

Ali | 9 years ago | Reply What a hypocrite! People are still waiting for justice in model town Lahore.

Truth Detector | 9 years ago | Reply I am not a PML(N)/ NS supporter but I think this gesture by PM was the best thing he has done in a while. Happy Diwali to all Hindu friends !!

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