Islamabad: Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has emphatically stated that Pakistan is a land of peace and tolerance where there is no room for hatred, chaos and terrorism.
PM Shehbaz Sharif was addressing a ceremony held at Prime Minister House, Islamabad in connection with Diwali festival. The Prime Minister paid tribute to the services and contributions of Pakistan's minority communities in different fields of life.
He said presence of representatives of different religions in this event embodies the very ideals of Pakistan as were envisioned by its founding father Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah where all citizens enjoy equal rights and freedoms.
PM Shehbaz Sharif said the Muslim and non Muslim Pakistanis continue to move in unison to thwart any nefarious design against the country.
He said entire Pakistani nation stands united and resolute alongside the security forces to defeat the menace of terrorism and hatred from the country.
The Prime Minister said the majority Muslim population of Pakistan has always expressed strong indignation at any despicable acts against the minority communities of the country and stood in unequivocal solidarity with them in any such times.
He highlighted some of the major policy steps taken by the government to ensure protection of minorities rights in Pakistan and promote interfaith harmony.
He mentioned the representation of all minority communities in the Parliament, five percent quota in government jobs, scholarships for the minority community students, the Interfaith Harmony Policy approved by the federal cabinet and the National Commission for Minorities' Rights Bill passed by Parliament.
Earlier, addressing the ceremony, Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said all Pakistanis stand united and will not allow anyone sow the seeds of hatred or discord in our society.
He said the purpose of celebrating Diwali is to impart message of peace and tolerance across the world.
Minister of State for Religious Affairs Kesoo Mal Kheal Das said Pakistan is an emblem of interfaith harmony and peace in the world.