ISLAMABAD - Minister Incharge for National Harmony Dr. Paul Bhatti has said that arrangements have been finalized to mark Minorities’ Day officially here on Thursday (August 9).
He said three to four hundred people of different faiths including parliamentarians, diplomats, religious leaders and general public would participate in the event, adding that the government observes this day every year in order to highlight the vision of founding father of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and to acknowledge the sacrifices and services of minorities in the nation building.
He said the Minorities Day provides us with an opportunity to renew pledge for the promotion of tolerance and interfaith harmony as in a pluralistic society, there can always be a divergence of opinion on a number of issues, but these differences can be solved through interfaith harmony which means a cooperative and positive interaction between people of different religions, traditions, faiths, and spiritual or humanistic beliefs, at all levels.
Since the formation of Pakistan, minorities are contributing in every sphere of life and their political involvement is also worth appreciating. Our polity needs to strengthen the spirit of accommodation and communal harmony in the light of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s vision of Pakistan, he added.
He said a new ministry has been formed with the name of Ministry of National Harmony after the devolution of Ministry of Minority Affairs to acknowledge the sacrifices and services of minorities for the country to promote peace, patience and tolerance for creating an understanding and brotherhood among people of different sects or different schools of thought.
“We are committed to promote inter-faith harmony in the country and enact new laws and take policy decisions to promote inter-faith harmony and also look after international agreements about minorities”, he said.
He said many steps have been taken by the government for the protection and promotion of minorities like the reservation of 05% quota in government jobs and services, enhancing representation in parliament, declaration of 11th August, as the Minorities Day, including observance of optional holidays and celebration of the festivals of minorities at official level.