Entire nation united against extremism: PM

[Waqas 48]

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Thursday urged the religious minorities to support the government in its endeavours to eliminate extremists and terrorists from the country, adding the whole nation is united against extremism.

Addressing at the ‘Minorities Solidarity Convention’ here, the Prime Minister said extremists and militants wanted to shatter the peace and economy of the country. “The entire nation including minorities should stand up to the challenge, confront these terrorists with a strong determination and crush them,” Gilani vowed.

The Prime Minister also lauded the role of minorities in strengthening the country and assured that their rights, as enshrined in the constitution, would be fully protected.

“The government will fulfill all obligations made to the minorities in the light of the sayings of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah to treat all Pakistanis as equal in rights without the discrimination of caste, creed and colour.”

He said the same ideals were also pursued by Benazir Bhutto Shaheed and Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Shaheed and this government too would ensure to uphold them.

Gilani said a Minorities Commission had been set up to protect the rights of minorities and asked the ministries to ensure the implementation of five percent quota for minorities in government service.

He said the provincial governments too would be directed to comply with the same principle.

The Prime Minister said from the day one, he believes that his constituency was the minorities and the women as they were the deprived sections of the society and needs to be supported.

He said an inter-faith complex will soon be set up in Islamabad at the earliest to serve as the center to work for interfaith harmony.

The Prime Minister said inter-religious harmony needs to be promoted as with greater understanding the country will be strengthened and be able to face the challenges.

The prime minister also expressed gratitude to the minister for minorities for organizing the event at a critical juncture. He said it was strengthening to note that representatives from all religious sects of the country had gathered here to express solidarity with the country.

He said the meeting was reflective of religious harmony and solidarity and as a step forward in further strengthening the country at a time when it was facing serious challenges.

He said the day coincided with Youme-e-Takbeer and was the day to celebrate it with minorities who constitute an important ingredient of Pakistan.

Speaking about the displaced persons from FATA and Frontier, he said they were true Pakistanis and had rendered numerous sacrifices for the creation of this country and for protecting it.

However he said the black sheep in their ranks needed to be eliminated. He appealed to the world and the nation to help the Internally Displaced Persons in their hour of need.

Prime Minister Gilani said Pakistan had survived because of the 1973 constitution as it was the real binding force for all the four provinces and ensured that they equally prosper and progress.

He paid rich tributes to Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto who ensured that the federation stays strong. He said the 1973 constitution will be restored in its original form and will be protected.

The prime minister said that on the basis of the Charter of Democracy, necessary amendments will be made in the constitution of the country to make Pakistan strong.

Gilani said the practice of the past of trying to stick to the power had faltered and the present government would thus try to live politically and not through power.

The prime minister said with the launching of the Benazir Income Support Program, the women had been empowered to ensure that their rights are looked after. He mentioned that the government also enacted legislation to ensure there was no harassment of women at the workplace.