ON the occasion of National Minorities Day, the nation reiterated its resolve to protect and promote rights of minorities as guaranteed in the 1973 Constitution and Islam. The purpose of observing the Day was to highlight the message of Father of the Nation Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who had pronounced equal rights to all citizens of Pakistan. In their separate messages on the occasion, both President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif pointed out that minorities in the country enjoy all political, social and economic rights as envisaged in the Constitution.
Propaganda by vested interests notwithstanding, the fact remains that religious minorities enjoy more rights and freedom in Pakistan than in many other countries, especially our eastern neighbour where a campaign is underway to force minorities to convert or leave the country. As Muslims of South Asia had a bitter taste of living as a minority before the partition, founder of Pakistan Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah declared the new state incomplete without non-Muslim citizens and the white colour of the national flag symbolizes their place in the body politic of Pakistan. The Quaid was a firm believer of equal rights for all citizens and his vision found an appropriate place in the Constitution that guarantees the provision of social, political, religious and economic rights to all citizens without any discrimination of caste, creed and colour. The minorities have an effective representation and say in different tiers of governance and law-making as they have guaranteed representation down from the Union Council level to the National Assembly/Senate. They also have a separate quota of 5% in jobs to ensure they are not left out in the realm of administration and governance and minorities are playing a constructive role in nation-building through their hard work and commitment. Unlike the countries that claim to be champions of human rights and democracy (where minorities, especially Muslims are not allowed to maintain their separate identity or practice their religion as per requirements of their faith), the State of Pakistan takes pain to facilitate in every respect Hindus, Sikhs and Christians in maintaining their religious sites and places of worship. There might be some stray incidents of discrimination or disrespect to their rights but these are neither sanctioned by the government nor the society and even the judiciary goes out of way to uphold their rights in all circumstances. This open heart approach plays its role in national unity and contribution of all citizens to the progress and development of the country.
