Pakistan is dedicated to protecting the rights of minorities: religious minister

Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, the Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, reiterated Pakistan’s support for minority rights and religious freedom on Tuesday.

“The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony celebrates various religious festivals every year to promote unity among diverse communities,” Sardar Yousaf said at a ceremony honoring the Hindu festival of Holi at the National Library of Pakistan.

“Religious freedom is guaranteed to all faiths by the Constitution of Pakistan,” he said, highlighting how Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah protected minority rights by incorporating white into Pakistan’s national flag.

He went on to emphasize the sense of unity by saying, “We are all Pakistanis and equally share each other’s joys and sorrows.” Sardar Yousaf emphasized that all religions support mankind and said that former Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif had supported these kinds of festivities as a way to promote peace.

According to him, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has ordered that all communities’ religious holidays be observed with appropriate reverence.

He pointed out that non-Muslim populations can run in general elections and have seats set aside for them in the Senate, National Assembly, and Provincial Assemblies.

The minister emphasized that it is our national duty to defend the rights of all Pakistanis. He emphasized that scholarships are given to minority students and that money is set aside for their health and education. He also mentioned that a five percent quota has been set up for minorities in government positions.

Sardar Yousaf emphasized that religious harmony is necessary for national unity and called for peace and tolerance in society. “The world must stand against injustice wherever it occurs,” he said, referring to the obvious message that the Shehbaz Sharif government has sent.

He urged everyone to help build a society where everyone lives in contentment, saying that religion “teaches humanity and tolerance.” As part of its ecumenical efforts, he also declared that the ministry would shortly celebrate the Easter and Nowruz celebrations.