Khyber News

ISLAMABAD: Religious minorities should be protected all over the world this was stated by Minister of state for National Harmony Akram Masih Gill. It must be government’s responsibly to safeguard its citizen without any discrimination among them, while addressing Iftar Dinner in Lahore arranged by Peace and Harmony Network Pakistan. He said we need to respect all regardless to creed, race and color and exploit none. We also need to pursue the ideals and promote tolerance, forbearance and forgiveness. “As a supreme creation, human beings must take care for needs, rights and aspirations of others to create balance in society, he added.”

 

Akram Masih Gill further stated that Ministry of Harmony has announced 10 Religious festivals of minorities to be celebrated officially in Pakistan including Besakhi, Dewali, Holi, Eid-e-Rizwan, Chelumjusht, Nauroze, Christmas and Easter.

 

Besides celebrating the festivals of minorities officially, adequate security measures will also be taken for all worship places of the minorities. He further said the minorities in Pakistan will not refrain for rendering any kind of sacrifices for the defense, stability and progress of the country. “This effort will not only provide respect to the religions of minorities but also ensure their maximum representation in official events, he added”

 

Every religion teaches peace, brotherhood to protect rights of others and to promote tolerance. We should have dialogue, understanding, cooperation harmony and to remove misunderstanding among different faiths. Ministry of Harmony has lunched a National Campaign to promote interfaith harmony. This Campaign will help promote National Unity and Harmony in the society. Interfaith Harmony Committees are being established throughout the country at district level. He said Government of Pakistan is working on the agenda to promote interfaith harmony to being peace and tolerance in the society and for this purpose a new Ministry, National Harmony has been established.

 

These festivals belong to Sikh, Hindu, Bahai, Kalash, Parsi and Christian Communities living in different areas of the country.

 

The Minister said being a Pakistani, all citizens are equal and share equal rights in the state. Ethnic groups in Pakistan excluding Muslims are so less in number that there remains no need to classify them on majority/minority basis. While remaining open to other religions and to their cultural contributions, we must unite our efforts to contribute to the Pakistani culture of the future and to the quality of human relations at every level.” He also appreciated Government commitments towards minority rights and thanked the Government for recognizing August 11 as Minority day. He appreciated Mr. Bhatti’s leadership and encouraged him to continue the struggle for minority rights in Pakistan.

 

Akram Gill said being the peace worker, our concern extends to those parts where ethnic groups are facing numerous difficulties, particularly poverty, wars and terrorism, We call the people to work together to promote respect for the rights of every human being. Above all, we wish to affirm that killing innocent people in God’s name is an offence against him and against human dignity. We must all commit ourselves to the renewed service of humanity and the deference of human life, ever human life.

 

A large number of prominent people from different walk of life, including Ulemas, Mashaikhs, Scholars and representatives from different faith attended the event.

 

Minister for National Harmony  Akram Masih Gill also appreciated peace and harmony network Pakistan’s efforts to promote interfaith harmony