Pakistan Celebrates National Minorities Day with Pledge to Uphold Rights

Pakistan's leaders promised to protect minorities' rights and religious freedoms, emphasizing unity, tolerance, and interfaith harmony. Since declaring August 11 as National Minorities Day in 2009, the nation commemorates M A Jinnah's historic 1947 speech. President Zardari and Prime Minister Sharif praised the contributions of minorities to national development.

Pakistan's top civil and military leadership on Sunday vowed to protect the rights and religious freedoms of minorities, urging all segments of society to promote interfaith harmony, tolerance, and unity.

In 2009, Pakistan declared August 11 as National Minorities Day to honor the historic speech made by its founder M A Jinnah, who on August 11, 1947, promised to protect their rights.

President Asif Ali Zardari affirmed that minorities in Pakistan enjoy all civic rights guaranteed by the Constitution. “We reaffirm our commitment to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah's promise to protect minorities' rights and religious freedoms,” Zardari said. The government, he added, is taking steps for the empowerment of minorities.

The president stressed the need for societal education about rights and promotion of interfaith harmony to strengthen Pakistan. Zardari expressed confidence in the positive role minorities continue to play in Pakistan's development.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lauded minorities for their contributions to the country's prosperity. “The purpose of this celebration is to express solidarity with Pakistan's minorities and acknowledge their services,” he stated. Sharif praised the minority community for its critical role in the Pakistan movement and ongoing nation-building efforts.

Referencing Jinnah’s speech, Sharif emphasized religious freedom for minorities, reaffirming the state's commitment to their development and prosperity.

The military leadership, including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, recognized minorities' contributions to Pakistan's progress and cultural heritage. Extending congratulations, the army called the occasion a reminder of Pakistan's diversity and unity. Minority communities, the army said, are vital parts of Pakistan's social fabric, with rights protected by the Constitution and Islam.

According to 2021 data by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, Muslims make up 96.47% of the population, followed by Hindus at 2.14%, Christians at 1.27%, Ahmadi Muslims at 0.09%, and others at 0.02%. However, minorities often face violence from extremist groups.