Latest news with #NationalMinoritiesDay
Business Recorder
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
CM Maryam vows to safeguard rights of minorities
LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has said that Quaid-e-Azam's Pakistan is the homeland of all & sundry and everyone is safe and free in it with their faith. She highlighted, 'We pay tribute to all our minority brothers and sisters who always remain active for the development and prosperity of their beloved homeland.' In her message on the National Minorities Day, the CM said that minorities are the symbol of pride of a Pakistani society. She maintained, 'There will be no compromise on the honour, dignity, protection and progress of minorities. The Punjab government is strictly adhering to its policy of granting minorities complete rights for their education, development and welfare.' She noted, 'For the first time in the history, Punjab has achieved the distinction and honour of introducing 'Minority Card' for the welfare of the minority community. Upto 50,000 minority brothers and sisters are being given Rs. 10,500 quarterly through minority cards. The number of minority cards will be increased to 75,000.' She affirmed, 'Punjab attained the honour of passing the first Sikh Marriage Act 2024, now 'Anand Karj' has been given legal status. The pending Hindu Marriage Act 2017 has been approved in 2025. The Punjab government is taking numerous steps so as to make it possible for the minority community residing in Punjab to have easy access to education, health and employment.' The CM revealed, 'In the current financial year, Rs 8 billion have been allocated for the development and non-development budget of the minority community. Grants for religious festivals of the minority community have been enhanced from Rs 60 million to Rs 366 million. A substantial amount has been allocated in the current budget for the restoration of 40 historical gurdwaras, 25 churches and five temples.' She added, 'The Samadhi Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Lahore, the Shri Krishna Temple in Rawalpindi and the Church of Pakistan are being rehabilitated and restored. Scholarship funds worth Rs 60 million were allocated for the minority students.' The CM outlined, 'Live courses have been launched in Youhanabad, in the first phase out of which 1,000 students will benefit, and in the second phase 10,000 students will benefit from it. Baisakhi, Holi, Diwali, Christmas and Easter were celebrated in Punjab for the first time at the official level. The minority quota system is being implemented in letter & spirit in the province.' She vowed, 'The Punjab government is the guardian of the rights of minorities and is fully committed to grant them their rightful share in every field of development and progress. We are moving towards a society where love, tolerance and brotherhood will be our hallmark and sole identity. Minorities are the beautiful colour of Pakistan and we will never let this colour fade away.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Minority community: Rights, freedoms and safety fully protected: President
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has said that Pakistan's minority communities are an essential and respected part of society, and that their rights, freedoms, and safety are fully protected under the Constitution of Pakistan. President Zardari, along with ministers and heads of minority communities, cut a cake at Aiwan-e-Sadr on 11 August 2025 to celebrate National Minorities Day. First Lady Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari was also present. Speaking on the occasion of National Minorities Day at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Monday, the heads of various minority communities thanked President Zardari for his historic decision in 2009, during his first tenure as president of Pakistan, to declare 11th August as National Minorities Day, to be observed each year. They acknowledged this initiative as a milestone in recognising their contributions and upholding their rights. The president praised their valuable contributions to the country's strength and progress, noting their important role in national development. He made it clear that the State stands determined against all forms of discrimination, extremism, and violence, adding that such acts have no place in society and will not be allowed to threaten national unity and integrity. The president said the State has taken practical measures to promote inclusion and ensure equal opportunities for all. These include separate seats for non-Muslims in the Parliament and Provincial Assemblies, a five per cent quota in federal and provincial government jobs, and scholarships for minority students from the primary level to higher and professional education, he said. He assured the minority communities that their worship places, if presently under illegal occupation, would be retrieved without delay. He said he would ask the government to take steps to ensure such places are immediately restored to their rightful custodians. He noted that the National Policy for Interfaith Harmony has been designed to promote religious tolerance, strengthen social integration, and unite all religious communities as part of a cohesive national fabric. The president said that our religion, Islam, upholds peace, justice, and human dignity — principles reflected in the Charter of Madina, which granted equal rights to all communities, including non-Muslims. He added that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah envisioned a Pakistan where every citizen, regardless of religion, would enjoy equal rights — a vision that continues to guide state policies. Marking the significance of the day, President Zardari called for a collective resolve to build an inclusive and stronger Pakistan where every citizen enjoys equality, mutual respect, and legal protection, and is empowered to contribute meaningfully to the nation's shared destiny. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
MPAs close ranks to champion minorities
The Sindh Assembly on Monday unanimously passed a resolution to mark National Minorities Day, with both treasury and opposition leaders affirming that the Constitution guarantees complete protection to minorities in Sindh and across Pakistan. The move, taken three days before Independence Day, was described as a reaffirmation that every citizen is assured freedom of religion and security of life and property. The session, held in the old Assembly building under the chair of Speaker Owais Qadir Shah, saw the resolution moved by Deputy Speaker Naveed Anthony. Earlier, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Ziaul Hassan Lanjar had successfully sought suspension of other proceedings to allow debate on the motion. Speaking in favour, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah recalled the Assembly's historic role in passing the 1943 resolution in favour of Pakistan and hosting Quaid-e-Azam's 1947 address. He said observing Minorities Day before Independence Day underscored the guarantee of religious freedom and protection for all citizens. He noted Sindh's leading role in joining Pakistan, adding that its representatives would continue contributing to the country's unity and survival. Referring to Quaid-e-Azam's commitment to safeguarding minorities, Shah cited contributions by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto. The CM also hoisted the national flag in the Assembly Hall. Opposition Leader Ali Khursheedi supported the resolution, urging all parties to respect its spirit. He cautioned against sectarian and ethnic bias, and highlighted the need for serious attention to public safety issues. Interior Minister Lanjar announced plans to establish minority desks headed by SSP-level officers at the Sindh Police headquarters and the IG's office. Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani said protection of non-Muslims dated back to the time of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and the Rashidun Caliphate. He emphasised that Islam prohibits harm to non-Muslims, adding that minorities in his constituency are treated with respect. Deputy Speaker Anthony noted that former president Asif Ali Zardari had initiated National Minorities Day in 2009, recalling Quaid-e-Azam's 11 August 1947 speech in which he symbolically represented minorities in the national flag through the white stripe. He proposed that the constitutional term 'minority' be removed to reflect equality. Former Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani stressed that the term is a constitutional provision that could only be changed in the National Assembly, and highlighted the PPP's record in granting minorities more than five per cent of government jobs. Speaker Shah announced that a symbolic session will be held on August 14, inviting special children as guests. MQM's Taha Ahmed Khan, PTI's Shabbir Qureshi, and MQM's Anil Kumar and Fauzia Hameed also backed the resolution. MQM members called for constitutional removal of the term 'minority' and reiterated the need for religious harmony. Anil Kumar said minorities enjoy all facilities in Pakistan, unlike in India. The House unanimously approved the resolution before adjourning the session.
Express Tribune
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
CM reaffirms equal rights for all on Minorities Day
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah reaffirmed his government's commitment to protecting minority rights during a ceremony at Swami Narayan Temple on National Minorities Day. "Pakistan belongs equally to all, regardless of religion," he said, recalling Quaid-e-Azam's August 11, 1947 speech assuring minorities' religious freedom and protection. The event, attended by minority leaders including Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, and Parsis, highlighted Sindh's legacy of religious harmony. CM Shah said the tradition of observing Minorities Day was initiated by former President Asif Ali Zardari in 2009 and has continued annually. He stressed that Sindh, inspired by Sufi saints like Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai and Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, remains a beacon of tolerance. Comparing Pakistan's inclusive stance to rising intolerance abroad, Shah said any such incident here is widely condemned. The CM announced that minorities will be recruited into the police to help protect places of worship and pledged continued efforts under PPP leadership for inclusive development and peace.
Express Tribune
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Govt the sentinel of minority rights: CM
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has said that Quaid-i-Azam's Pakistan is the homeland of all citizens who are safe and free in the country with their faith. In her message on National Minorities Day, she paid tribute to all minority communities who "always remain active for the development and prosperity of their beloved homeland". She stated that the minorities were the pride of Pakistani society. "There will be no compromise on the honour, dignity, protection and progress of minorities. The Punjab government is strictly adhering to its policy of granting the minorities complete rights for their education, development and welfare," she added. She vowed, "The Punjab government is the guardian of the rights of minorities and is fully committed to granting them their rightful share in every field of development and progress. We are moving towards a society where love, tolerance and brotherhood will be our hallmark and sole identity. Minorities are the beautiful colour of Pakistan and we will never let this colour fade." The chief minister said, "For the first time in history, Punjab has achieved the distinction and honour of introducing a 'Minority Card' for welfare." She said 50,000 citizens were being paid Rs10,500 quarterly through the cards and their number would be increased to 75,000. "Punjab attained the honour of passing the first Sikh Marriage Act 2024. Now 'Anand Karj' has been given legal status. The pending Hindu Marriage Act 2017 has been approved this year. The Punjab government is taking numerous steps to make it possible for the minority communities in the province to have easy access to education, health and employment," she added. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said Rs8 billion had been allocated in the current financial year in development and non-development budget of the minority communities. Grants for religious festivals of the minorities have been enhanced from Rs60 million to Rs366 million. A substantial amount has been allocated in the budget for the restoration of 40 historic gurdwaras, 25 churches and five temples. She added, "The Samadhi Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Lahore, Shri Krishna Temple in Rawalpindi and the Church of Pakistan are being rehabilitated and restored. Scholarship funds worth Rs60 million are allocated for minority students." She said training courses had been launched in Youhanabad in the first phase, through which 1,000 students would benefit. In the second phase, 10,000 students will benefit from the initiative. Baisakhi, Holi, Diwali, Christmas and Easter were celebrated in Punjab for the first time at the official level. The minorities' quota system is being implemented in letter and spirit in the province. Meanwhile, over 4,000 cases related to the minority communities have been received by the Virtual Centre for Minorities since its establishment under the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA), of which more than 3,600 cases have been resolved and over 750 FIRs registered to ensure justice. In a statement marking National Minorities Day, a PSCA spokesperson said the centre whad been launched for protecting minorities' rights and addressing their concerns effectively. The virtual centre operates through the PSCA's emergency helpline 15. Trained officers handle the complaints on a priority basis. "The PSCA remains fully committed to providing a secure and inclusive environment for all minority communities across Punjab," the spokesperson added, encouraging citizens to utilise the service for immediate police assistance and resolution of grievances. With additional input from APP
