Felicitating the Christian community on the auspicious occasion of Christmas, Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has reiterated the government’s commitment to ensure the rights of minorities as enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan.
“The Government of Pakistan regards the protection of rights of the minorities as its constitutional duty and is committed to their welfare.
The Constitution of 1973 guarantees complete religious freedom, social justice, and equality of rights to the minorities,” Gilani said in his message on the occasion of Christmas.
The Prime Minister said minorities are his constituency, adding, “They enjoy representation in the National Assembly and the Senate of Pakistan.”
He said the implementation of 5% job quota is also being ensured in all the federal jobs for the minorities in addition to their participation in open merit.
“On my instructions, the district administration is also going to arrange Christmas bazaars this year,” he added.
The Prime Minister said he has no doubt in his mind that minorities would continue to play their commendable role in the national development.
He said, “Today is a sacred day of Christmas. On this auspicious occasion, I wish to extend the message of felicitation and greetings to all members of the Christian community inside and outside Pakistan on behalf of the people and government of Pakistan.”
“It is the day when Jesus Christ came to the world as a Messiah and brought with him a message of peace, love and security. God sent him to the world at a time when people were bogged down in the darkness of ignorance, greed, hatred and deceit. His arrival ushered in a new era of enlightenment. He brought about such a spiritual revolution as changed the tone and tenor of life of mankind,” he added.
The Prime Minister said Muslims around the world regard Jesus Christ as a revered messenger of Allah Almighty and hold him in the highest esteem. “Allah Almighty sent him as a messenger of hope, peace and human brotherhood. His teachings and sayings are a beacon of light for the entire humanity,” he added.
Gilani said, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Founder of Pakistan, said about the minorities in his famous August 11 speech. He said, “You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place or worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the State.”
The Prime Minister said, “The Government believes that the Christians, indeed all minorities of Pakistan are equal citizens of the State and are entitled to equal rights.”
“The present democratic government declared August 11 as the National Day of the Minorities, which is aimed at eulogizing the contributions and achievements of the minorities for the development of Pakistan,” he added.
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