RECORDER REPORT
LAHORE: Provincial Minister on Human Rights and Minority Affairs Khalil Tahir Sandhu has said that minorities are quite safe in Pakistan as compared to other countries of the region. Minorities have been given equal rights as per assurances given by Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal. The constitution of Pakistan has provided equal rights without religious, race and colour distinction.
He said all the minorities living in Pakistan i.e. Sikhs, Christians and Hindus rights are being provided same protection as the Muslim majority. He expressed these view while addressing the ceremony of ‘Minority Day’ at Al-hamra hall, here on Thursday.
He said the Punjab Government is working actively for securing rights of minorities. Quota for minorities has been fixed five percent for the selection of grade 1 to 17 officials under which more than five thousand jobs will be allocated to the minorities.
He said in the same way Punjab Government provides special grants during Holee, Charismas and Diwali, during the last four years more than three thousand minority students have been given scholarships. A clear increase has been observed in the budget of Human Rights and Minority Affairs a summary for providing additional five marks to the minorities for their religious certificates has been forwarded to the authorities.
Provincial Minister has said that 11 August (Minority Day) is a reminder about the minority religious scholars’ contribution during Tehreek-e-Pakistan, we will contribute to the progress and development of Pakistan in future.
While presiding over the ceremony Provincial Minister on Higher Education Zakia Shah Nawaz has said that we all brothers and sisters and are equal as a citizen of Pakistan. She informed that presence of white colour in the flag of Pakistan represents minorities and such minorities are blessing for us.
Provincial minister on Minerals Choudhary Shair Ali praised the effort of minority scholars during Tehreek-e-Pakistan. Member National Assembly Dr. Darshan Laal appreciated role of Hindu community in Pakistan.
Parliamentary Secretary for Human Rights and Minority Affairs Tariq Gill highlighted the contributions of Christian community in Pakistan and praised the steps of Punjab Government in this regard. Member Provincial Assembly Ramesh Singh Arora praised the contributions of Sikh community for Pakistan. He praised the efforts of Punjab Government regarding inter-religious harmony. Member Provincial Assembly Kanji Ram discussed the efforts of Hindu community in Pakistan.
In the ceremony, bishops and other persons from all the religious prayed for the progress and development of Pakistan. The services of late Shehbaz Aziz Bhatti were also praised in the ceremony. At the end of ceremony, awards were distributed among social workers of the minority affairs. Provincial Minister on Human Rights and Minority Affairs Khalil Tahir Sandhu distributed awards along with Javed William, Professor Christi Maneer, Jhonsan Berhard, Major General Dr. Noel Khokhar, Bashan Singh and fifty others.
