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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Saturday said the government was committed to the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah for an enlightened, progressive, tolerant and moderate Pakistan.
Addressing a function in connection with Christmas at Fatima Church here, the Prime Minister said the Constitution of Pakistan gives individuals a right to practice their religion freely and fairly shares economic opportunities for their empowerment.
In this direction, he said the government has taken landmark decisions, including reservation of 5% quota in government jobs and services, reservation of seats for minorities in the Senate, declaration of 11th August as Minority Day including observance of optional holiday and celebration of religious festivals of minorities at official level and establishment of prayer rooms in all prisons of the country.
He said he has directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to expedite the process of up-gradation and development of Katchi Abadies particularly Christian dwellings in Islamabad.
The government has arranged Christmas Bazaars on his instructions, he added.
He congratulated the Christian community and especially those living in Pakistan and members of Islamabad-based diplomatic community on the festive and auspicious occasion of Christmas.
He said the government continues to adhere to the policy set out by the Founder of Pakistan.
The Constitution of 1973 guarantees complete religious, economic, political, and social freedoms to the minorities, he said adding, "They are equal and proud citizens of Pakistan who have played their commendable role in the development of the country."
He said the festive occasion of Christmas highlights the character, sacrifices, teachings and valuable contributions of Jesus Christ for the moral and spiritual betterment of humanity.
The arrival of Jesus Christ marked the end of an age of ignorance, darkness, oppression, and tyranny and represented the beginning of truth and enlightenment, he said adding Jesus Christ spread the message of peace, harmony, human solidarity and fraternity through his actions and words.
"Belief in the Prophethood of Jesus Christ and Bible being the Divine Book is one of the Articles of the Muslims' faith. This unique characteristic binds both the Muslim and Christian communities in a thread of brotherhood, trust and mutual respect," he noted.
"All Divine religions are torch-bearers of peace, equality, social justice and human rights. I believe that it is the responsibility of followers of these great religions and the entire civilized world to uphold and promote these high values. Preservation of peace and interfaith harmony is the shared goal of the entire humanity," he continued.
The Prime Minister underlined the need for implementing the teachings of the great religions in individual and collective lives.
"Once, we become the true inheritor and custodian of these higher values and teachings, only then the handful of extremists would stand exposed," he commented.
He said there is an urgent need in the world today more than ever before to remove distrust and misunderstandings among the followers of different religions and foster greater understanding, tolerance and respect for all.
He called upon every one to pledge that they will collectively struggle for the betterment of society and welfare of the people of Pakistan.
"We, the representatives of the people, owe a lot to our people, as after a long interval, the era of democracy has begun in this country," he added.
Prime Minister Gilani said the Pakistan Peoples Party has made sacrifices for the restoration of democracy and has struggled continuously for the rights of people.
Establishment of an egalitarian society has always been the endeavour and policy of the Peoples Party, he said, adding, "We have never compromised on these principles."
He said Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto sacrificed his life, but refused to bow down before a dictator and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto gave her life for democracy and politics of principles.
"I myself suffered the rigours of jail for many years, but did not give in to a dictatorship," he recollected.
He asserted that the Government of Pakistan stood for equal rights for all citizens. "We have always been making efforts for socio-economic uplift of the masses. Special efforts are being made to bring the weaker sections of society into the mainstream."
He quoted the two important speeches of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
In his address to the first Constituent Assembly, the Prime Minister recalled, the Founder of Pakistan said: "You are free; you are free to go to your mosques or other places of worship in this State of Pakistan. You belong to any religion or caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the state. We are starting in the day when there is no discrimination, no distinction between one caste, creed and colour. We are starting with this fundamental principle that we are all equal citizens of the State."
He also recalled a quote from Quaid-e-Azam's address to the Parsi community of Sindh in 1948.
He quoted Quaid-e-Azam as saying, "I assure you, Pakistan means to stand by its often repeated promises of according equal rights to all its nationals irrespective of their caste or creed. Pakistan, which symbolizes the aspirations of a nation that found itself to be a minority in the Indian Sub-continent, cannot be unmindful of minorities within its own borders."
Gilani said the Ministry of National Harmony has been mandated to actively engage in dialogue with scholars and leaders of all faiths to remove misunderstandings which are the root cause of extremism.
He said the government has proposed interfaith coordination as a practical and long term response for achieving sustainable peace and harmony.
He expressed happiness that the Christian community of Pakistan is taking active part in the socio-economic development of country.
Gilani appreciated the role of religious scholars of different faiths, who have consistently professed and practiced the ideals of integrity and harmony within Pakistan.
"All of you present here today deserve profound tributes for your unwavering efforts towards better and stable Pakistan."
He expressed hope that the people of Pakistan will continue to contribute and promote national harmony to build a progressive and more tolerant Pakistan.
"Let us on this day commit ourselves to continue our journey along this road," Gilani said while concluding his speech.
Minister of State for National Harmony Akram Masih Gill said interfaith harmony is the top most priority of the government.
He said the government is committed to grant equal rights to minorities and to the promotion of interfaith harmony.
Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Harmony Dr. Paul Bhatti said it was a matter of satisfaction that minorities in the country were free to practice their religion.
He said the PPP government was facilitating the minorities by bringing them into the mainstream of society by giving them job quotas and representation in the assemblies.
http://www.brecorder.com/top-news/1...vision-of-moderate-progressive-pakistan-.html
Addressing a function in connection with Christmas at Fatima Church here, the Prime Minister said the Constitution of Pakistan gives individuals a right to practice their religion freely and fairly shares economic opportunities for their empowerment.
In this direction, he said the government has taken landmark decisions, including reservation of 5% quota in government jobs and services, reservation of seats for minorities in the Senate, declaration of 11th August as Minority Day including observance of optional holiday and celebration of religious festivals of minorities at official level and establishment of prayer rooms in all prisons of the country.
He said he has directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to expedite the process of up-gradation and development of Katchi Abadies particularly Christian dwellings in Islamabad.
The government has arranged Christmas Bazaars on his instructions, he added.
He congratulated the Christian community and especially those living in Pakistan and members of Islamabad-based diplomatic community on the festive and auspicious occasion of Christmas.
He said the government continues to adhere to the policy set out by the Founder of Pakistan.
The Constitution of 1973 guarantees complete religious, economic, political, and social freedoms to the minorities, he said adding, "They are equal and proud citizens of Pakistan who have played their commendable role in the development of the country."
He said the festive occasion of Christmas highlights the character, sacrifices, teachings and valuable contributions of Jesus Christ for the moral and spiritual betterment of humanity.
The arrival of Jesus Christ marked the end of an age of ignorance, darkness, oppression, and tyranny and represented the beginning of truth and enlightenment, he said adding Jesus Christ spread the message of peace, harmony, human solidarity and fraternity through his actions and words.
"Belief in the Prophethood of Jesus Christ and Bible being the Divine Book is one of the Articles of the Muslims' faith. This unique characteristic binds both the Muslim and Christian communities in a thread of brotherhood, trust and mutual respect," he noted.
"All Divine religions are torch-bearers of peace, equality, social justice and human rights. I believe that it is the responsibility of followers of these great religions and the entire civilized world to uphold and promote these high values. Preservation of peace and interfaith harmony is the shared goal of the entire humanity," he continued.
The Prime Minister underlined the need for implementing the teachings of the great religions in individual and collective lives.
"Once, we become the true inheritor and custodian of these higher values and teachings, only then the handful of extremists would stand exposed," he commented.
He said there is an urgent need in the world today more than ever before to remove distrust and misunderstandings among the followers of different religions and foster greater understanding, tolerance and respect for all.
He called upon every one to pledge that they will collectively struggle for the betterment of society and welfare of the people of Pakistan.
"We, the representatives of the people, owe a lot to our people, as after a long interval, the era of democracy has begun in this country," he added.
Prime Minister Gilani said the Pakistan Peoples Party has made sacrifices for the restoration of democracy and has struggled continuously for the rights of people.
Establishment of an egalitarian society has always been the endeavour and policy of the Peoples Party, he said, adding, "We have never compromised on these principles."
He said Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto sacrificed his life, but refused to bow down before a dictator and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto gave her life for democracy and politics of principles.
"I myself suffered the rigours of jail for many years, but did not give in to a dictatorship," he recollected.
He asserted that the Government of Pakistan stood for equal rights for all citizens. "We have always been making efforts for socio-economic uplift of the masses. Special efforts are being made to bring the weaker sections of society into the mainstream."
He quoted the two important speeches of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
In his address to the first Constituent Assembly, the Prime Minister recalled, the Founder of Pakistan said: "You are free; you are free to go to your mosques or other places of worship in this State of Pakistan. You belong to any religion or caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the state. We are starting in the day when there is no discrimination, no distinction between one caste, creed and colour. We are starting with this fundamental principle that we are all equal citizens of the State."
He also recalled a quote from Quaid-e-Azam's address to the Parsi community of Sindh in 1948.
He quoted Quaid-e-Azam as saying, "I assure you, Pakistan means to stand by its often repeated promises of according equal rights to all its nationals irrespective of their caste or creed. Pakistan, which symbolizes the aspirations of a nation that found itself to be a minority in the Indian Sub-continent, cannot be unmindful of minorities within its own borders."
Gilani said the Ministry of National Harmony has been mandated to actively engage in dialogue with scholars and leaders of all faiths to remove misunderstandings which are the root cause of extremism.
He said the government has proposed interfaith coordination as a practical and long term response for achieving sustainable peace and harmony.
He expressed happiness that the Christian community of Pakistan is taking active part in the socio-economic development of country.
Gilani appreciated the role of religious scholars of different faiths, who have consistently professed and practiced the ideals of integrity and harmony within Pakistan.
"All of you present here today deserve profound tributes for your unwavering efforts towards better and stable Pakistan."
He expressed hope that the people of Pakistan will continue to contribute and promote national harmony to build a progressive and more tolerant Pakistan.
"Let us on this day commit ourselves to continue our journey along this road," Gilani said while concluding his speech.
Minister of State for National Harmony Akram Masih Gill said interfaith harmony is the top most priority of the government.
He said the government is committed to grant equal rights to minorities and to the promotion of interfaith harmony.
Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Harmony Dr. Paul Bhatti said it was a matter of satisfaction that minorities in the country were free to practice their religion.
He said the PPP government was facilitating the minorities by bringing them into the mainstream of society by giving them job quotas and representation in the assemblies.
http://www.brecorder.com/top-news/1...vision-of-moderate-progressive-pakistan-.html
