PM stresses spreading inter-faith harmony
Staff Report

ISLAMABAD—Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that the lack of inter-faith and inter-cultural understanding is a major challenge for the world today and has called upon people belonging to different faiths to work harder for the promotion of inter-faith harmony to make the world a better place to live.
The Prime Minister said this while talking to a Christian delegation from USA, UK and Netherlands, who called on him at the PM's House Saturday morning.The Prime Minister said that minorities in Pakistan are free to practice their faith and the government is taking all necessary steps to ensure that people belonging to different faiths continue to live in peace and harmony and freely practice their religious beliefs. Emphasizing the need forinterfaith dialogue to promote better understanding among the people of various faiths, he said Islam teaches peace, tolerance, brotherhood and respect for all religions.
The Prime Minister said that it is for the first time in the country's history that minorities have been given dual right to vote which allows them to vote for general seats as well as for the seats reserved for them. He said the establishment of the Minorities Affairs Division and appointment aminority MNA as its Minister of State, increased representation of ten minority members in the Parliament are some of the steps taken by the government to increase the participation of minorities in the decision making process. In addition, he said District Interfaith Harmony Committeesat the district level have been set up in Punjab and most parts of Balochistan while the process in underway in Sindh and NWFP.The Prime Minister also mentioned the contributions made by the minority community in Pakistan particularly in the fields of health, education and humanitarian services. He said we are all Pakistanis and for the country to progress it is necessary that the minorities continue to play an important role in different walks of national life. He appreciated the fact that many members of the minority community are joining the armed forces and other government organizations.
Prof. Mushtaq Victor informed the meeting about the initiatives taken by his Ministry to further improve the atmosphere of inter-faith harmony in the country.
Bishop Azad Marshal, President of Ibadat Trust, presented a report to the Prime Minister about the relief activities carried out by the organization during for last year's earthquake.
The delegates told the Prime Minister that a hospital built by the Ibadat Trust in Bagh, with the help of local and foreign donors, for the people who might still be in need of medial aid will be inaugurated tomorrow. They thanked the government for extending all support in this regard.
The delegation comprised Bishop Azad Marshal, Dr. Andrew President SALT Foundation from Netherlands, Rev. Stephen Roger from United Kingdom, Rev.Paul Tew from United Kingdom and Mr. Al-Jansen from United States.
Minster of State for Minorities Affairs, Prof. Mushtaq Victor and Special Assistant to Prime Minister Commander (R) Khalil ur Rahman also attended the meeting.