Prime Minister Reaffirms Full Religious Freedom for Minorities at Diwali Ceremony

Pakistan is the land of peace, harmony, and tolerance — there is no room for hatred, discord, or terrorism; minorities enjoy full religious freedom, says Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Diwali celebration.
Islamabad,Nazrana Times Ali Imran Chattha 
 

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif lauded the proud role of minorities in Pakistan, reaffirming that Pakistan is a land of peace, harmony, and tolerance where there is no space for hatred, conflict, or terrorism. He said minorities in Pakistan enjoy complete religious freedom, and the government has taken special measures for their welfare.
He expressed these views while addressing a special ceremony held at the Prime Minister’s House on the occasion of the Diwali festival on Monday. The event was attended by federal ministers, minority members of the National Assembly and Senate, and leaders from various minority community.

Extending his greetings to the Hindu community on Diwali, the Prime Minister said the presence of both minority and majority representatives in the ceremony reflected the true spirit of the Pakistan envisioned by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He recalled Jinnah’s August 11 speech, in which he declared that all citizens of Pakistan, regardless of religion, are free to practice their faith and rituals without fear.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that from the creation to the defense of Pakistan, minority communities have played a proud and commendable role. He noted that today’s celebration symbolizes the unity of Muslim and non-Muslim Pakistanis in facing any evil or aggression against the country. The Prime Minister strongly condemned any injustices committed against minorities, saying that such incidents have never been tolerated by the majority in Pakistan.
 Highlighting the valuable contributions of minorities in education, health, and other sectors, he said that minorities are represented in all political parties. He mentioned that under the PML-N government, Khial Das Kohistani serves as Minister of State, while members of the Hindu and Christian communities are part of both the Senate and the Assemblies.
 Discussing government initiatives for minorities, the Prime Minister said that the Federal Cabinet has approved an Interfaith Harmony Policy. Another significant achievement, he noted, was the passage of the National Minority Commission Bill from both the Senate and the National Assembly, which provides legal strength to the commission.
 He further stated that students from minority communities are being provided scholarships from the primary to university level, and they are included in various programs under the Prime Minister’s Youth Program. Besides merit-based opportunities, a five percent quota has been allocated for minorities in government jobs, and they are granted holidays on their religious festivals.
 Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed that Pakistan is a country of light, peace, harmony, and tolerance. There is no place for hatred, strife, or terrorism, and the entire nation stands united with the brave armed forces in their struggle to eliminate the darkness of terrorism and hatred.
 The Prime Minister also joined members of the Hindu community in cutting a Diwali cake. The Hindu representatives expressed gratitude for the celebration of the festival at the Prime Minister’s House.
 Earlier, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said that the Diwali event conveys a message of peace and demonstrates that Pakistan is a peace-loving country.

 Minister of State Khial Das Kohistani, in his address, said that former Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif had celebrated Diwali at the official level in 2015, and once again, this year, the festival is being celebrated at the Prime Minister’s House. He added that while enemies attacked our seminaries, the Pakistan Armed Forces never targeted any religious site or civilian population in response. Minorities in Pakistan enjoy full constitutional rights and religious freedom, he said, contrasting it with the mistreatment of minorities in India. He concluded by stating that Pakistan’s armed forces have shattered Modi’s arrogance.