By Eman Alam
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has called for renewing the commitment to making Pakistan a country where justice, equality, tolerance and service to humanity are the defining features.
“We must ensure that our future generations inherit a Pakistan that stands as a beacon of peace, progress, stability and mutual respect,” the president said in a message on National Minorities Day.
On the occasion of National Minorities Day, the president conveyed warm greetings to all Pakistanis, especially their ethnic and religious minorities, on the historic day.
He said the religious minorities in Pakistan had contributed prominently in conflicts, wars, health, education and other domains of life and continued doing so even today along with other compatriots.
“The entire nation is proud of their national services, patriotism and significant contribution to the country’s holistic progress and development,” he added.
The president said the day reminded them that the foundation of a strong, peaceful and stable state rested not only on economic growth but also on justice, equality, mutual respect and the protection of human dignity.
“Pakistan’s true strength lies in its people who, setting their religious, cultural and traditional differences aside, stand united under one national flag. I firmly believe in the equality of every citizen, regardless of religion or faith, before the state,” President Secretariat Media Wing, in a press release, quoted the president as saying.
Seventy-nine years ago on this day, he said, the Founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah had explained his future vision of Pakistan while addressing the first constituent assembly of Pakistan.
His words provided them guidance about the heart and soul of our republic even today, he said, adding the constituent assembly created the first national consensus constitution almost a quarter of a century later in 1973, effectively incorporating all major guidelines of the great Quaid, brilliantly narrated in this speech delivered 79 years ago on this day, barely three days before our formal Declaration of Independence.
The president quoted Quaid’s words: “You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place of 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. We are starting with this fundamental principle that we are all citizens and equal citizens of one State.”
President Zardari observed that the vision was fully incorporated in our 1973 constitution created by their national leaders led by legendary (Shaheed) Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
The president said the founder of the nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, on various occasions, stressed upon religious freedom and protection of the minorities.
The Constitution of Pakistan guarantees fundamental rights, religious freedom and equal protection under the law, the president said, stressing that upholding these constitutional principles is not only the responsibility of the state but also an essential prerequisite for building a strong and just society.
He said Pakistan’s minority communities had earned distinction in various spheres of national life, including education, healthcare, law, business, arts, sports, research, social services, and defence of the country.
Their achievements demonstrated that every Pakistani had an equally significant role in the nation’s development, he opined.
The president called upon all religious leaders, educational institutions, media, civil society and state institutions to play their part in fostering a social environment where every citizen’s faith, identity and human dignity were respected.
He also appreciated minority communities’ contributions in nation building, and extended his best wishes for their prosperity, welfare, safety and continued success.
