Islamabad (Web Desk): President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to ensure the protection of citizens’ rights, with special attention to the rights and welfare of minority communities across the country.
In separate messages issued on the occasion of National Minorities Day, observed today (Tuesday), the president and the premier called on religious scholars, educational institutions, media organisations, civil society and other stakeholders to help create a society in which the religious beliefs, identities and dignity of every citizen are recognised and respected.
According to a statement issued by the President Secretariat Media Wing, in his message, President Asif Ali Zardari urged the nation to renew its efforts towards building a Pakistan where justice, equality, tolerance and humanitarian values remain central to national life.
“We must ensure that our future generations inherit a Pakistan that stands as a beacon of peace, progress, stability and mutual respect,” he said.
The president extended his greetings to all Pakistanis, particularly members of ethnic and religious minority communities, on National Minorities Day.
He highlighted the longstanding contributions of minority citizens to Pakistan, saying they had rendered important services during conflicts and wars and had made valuable contributions to healthcare, education and numerous other areas.
“The entire nation is proud of their national services, patriotism and significant contribution to the country’s holistic progress and development,” he added.
President Zardari said the annual observance served as an opportunity to recognise that a peaceful, stable and strong country could not depend solely on economic advancement, but also required justice, equal treatment, respect for others and 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,” he said.
Referring to the historic events surrounding the creation of Pakistan, President Zardari said 79 years ago on the same day, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah had presented his vision for the country while addressing the first Constituent Assembly.
He said the Quaid’s historic address continued to provide direction regarding the fundamental principles on which the republic was envisioned.
The president added that almost 25 years later, the Constituent Assembly adopted the country’s first consensus Constitution in 1973, incorporating the major principles outlined by the Founder of Pakistan in his landmark speech delivered shortly before the country’s formal independence.
President Zardari quoted Quaid-e-Azam’s historic 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 said this principle had been reflected in the Constitution of 1973, which was framed under the leadership of the country’s national figures, including Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
He recalled that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had repeatedly spoken about the importance of religious liberty and the need to safeguard minority communities.
The president noted that Pakistan’s Constitution provides fundamental rights, religious freedom and equal legal protection to all citizens.
He stressed that ensuring these guarantees was not solely an obligation of the state, but also a vital condition for developing a fair, stable and strong society.
President Zardari said members of minority communities had made their mark in a wide range of national fields, including education, medicine, law, commerce, arts, sports, scientific research, social welfare and the defence of Pakistan.
He noted that the accomplishments of minority citizens clearly reflected the fact that every Pakistani could make an important contribution to the country’s advancement.
He also recognised the role played by minority communities in the development of Pakistan and extended his wishes for their continued prosperity, security, welfare and success.
In his message on the occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistan observes National Minorities Day every year to recognise the valuable role of minority communities, encourage their participation in the national mainstream and acknowledge their contributions to the country’s development and prosperity.
He described minority communities as an essential component of Pakistan’s national identity, saying their presence represented the country’s rich social and cultural diversity.
The prime minister recalled that on August 11, 1947, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had clearly articulated the rights of minorities while speaking during the inaugural session of the Constituent Assembly.
He said the Founder of Pakistan had declared that citizens were free to worship at their temples, mosques or other places of worship and that religion, caste or creed had no connection with the affairs of the state.
PM Shehbaz said the Quaid’s historic principles continued to hold a lasting place in Pakistan’s social structure, governance system and religious outlook.
He said National Minorities Day also provided an opportunity to reaffirm Pakistan’s commitment to unity among all sections of society, peaceful coexistence, mutual respect and equal chances for advancement.
The prime minister said Pakistan was home to people from different faiths, cultures, nationalities and traditions who had continued to live together and contribute to the country’s social fabric.
He pointed out that minority communities had played an important role in Pakistan’s journey from the Pakistan Movement and the establishment of the country to the present day, contributing significantly in economic, educational, social, cultural and political spheres.
PM Shehbaz said that the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan guarantees the rights and interests of minorities, while an extensive legal framework provides additional safeguards, including protection for places of worship, measures against discriminatory conduct and restrictions on hate speech.
He termed the passage of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 2025 an important step forward, saying the Ministry of Human Rights was working on the establishment of an independent commission.
The prime minister said that the commission would be responsible for addressing complaints, supervising constitutional and legal protections, providing recommendations regarding government policies and legislation, monitoring issues linked to places of worship and employment quotas, and advancing equality and inclusion.
He also referred to the Interfaith Harmony Policy 2025, saying the initiative was designed to strengthen harmony and social cohesion by protecting religious freedom, encouraging dialogue among different faiths and ensuring equal opportunities without discrimination.
PM Shehbaz added that the government was simultaneously implementing the National Policy for Countering Violent Extremism 2024.
The premier further said the Ministry of Human Rights had, following consultations with relevant stakeholders, introduced the National Action Plan for Human Rights 2026.
The plan, he said, contains dedicated measures for safeguarding and advancing the rights of minority communities.
PM Shehbaz reaffirmed that the Government of Pakistan, together with provincial administrations, relevant institutions and civil society, would continue its efforts to protect the rights of all citizens, particularly those belonging to minority communities, provide equal opportunities and work towards creating a peaceful, tolerant and united Pakistan.