PM reaffirms commitment to protecting minorities’ rights on National Minorities Day

ISLAMABAD, Aug 10 (APP):Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan commemorates National Minorities Day every year with a firm resolve to acknowledge the invaluable presence of minorities, their inclusion in the national mainstream, and their significant contributions to national progress and prosperity.

In his message on National Minorities Day, the prime minister said the minorities living in Pakistan were an integral part of the national fabric and reflected the true beauty of the country’s diverse social and cultural landscape.

He recalled that on August 11, 1947, while addressing the historic inaugural session of the Constituent Assembly, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had unequivocally affirmed the rights of minorities in Pakistan, declaring that people were free to go to their temples, mosques or any other place of worship, and that religion, caste or creed had nothing to do with the business of the state.

The prime minister said these historic words of the Quaid-e-Azam held an enduring and unforgettable place in Pakistan’s social order, system of governance and religious ethos.

He said the day also served as a reaffirmation of Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to unity among different segments and communities of society, peaceful coexistence, mutual respect and equal opportunities for progress for all, adding that Pakistan was a diverse society where people belonging to different faiths, cultures, nationalities and traditions lived together in harmony.

The prime minister noted that from the Pakistan Movement and the creation of Pakistan to the present day, minority communities had played a pivotal role in the country’s progress and national development, rendering invaluable services in the economic, educational, social, cultural and political spheres.

He said the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan guaranteed the protection of the rights and interests of minority communities, and that these constitutional safeguards were further reinforced by an effective legal framework containing provisions for the protection of minorities’ places of worship, prohibition of discriminatory practices, and prevention of hate speech.

The prime minister termed the enactment of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 2025 a significant national milestone, noting that the Ministry of Human Rights was taking necessary steps for the establishment of an independent commission. He said the commission would play its role in redressing grievances, overseeing constitutional and legal safeguards, making recommendations on government policies and legislation, monitoring matters relating to places of worship and employment quotas, and promoting equality and inclusion.

He said the Interfaith Harmony Policy 2025 had been introduced to promote interfaith harmony and social cohesion, aimed at protecting religious freedom, promoting interfaith dialogue and ensuring equal opportunities without discrimination. He added that the government was also implementing the National Policy for Countering Violent Extremism 2024.

The prime minister said the Ministry of Human Rights, in consultation with all relevant stakeholders, had also introduced the National Action Plan for Human Rights 2026, which included specific measures for the protection and promotion of the rights of minority communities.

He reaffirmed that the Government of Pakistan, in collaboration with provincial governments, relevant institutions and civil society, remained committed to continuing every possible effort to protect the rights of every citizen, particularly those belonging to minority communities, ensure equal opportunities, and advance towards the goal of a peaceful, tolerant and united society.