Terms Pakistan the safest country for minorities
Staff Reporter
Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar has said that Prime Minister Imran Khan has the constitutional authority to hold general elections in the country at any time but he foresees general elections in 2023.
“I am not a future-teller to tell about Nawaz Sharif’s return to Pakistan. No one has been expelled from the government for not speaking against Jahangir Khan Tareen. Pakistan is the safest country for the minorities.”
Punjab Governor Ch Sarwar was addressing a seminar in connection with ‘National Minorities Day’ and later talking to the media.
Punjab Minister for Minorities Ijaz Alam Augustine, PTI Minority MNA Shanila Ruth, MPA Haroon Gill, and Secretary Human Rights Nadeemur Rehman among others were also present on the occasion.
The Punjab governor said that he came to Pakistan from UK to take part in active politics, but Prime Minister Imran Khan appointed him as a the Punjab Governor and entrusted him with the constitutional responsibility and he was fulfilling this responsibility, adding that he would fulfil whatever responsibility is given by the party leadership in future as well.
Answering to a question, he said that Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan was not removed by the Chief Minister for criticizing anyone, adding that the Prime Minister Imran Khan and the Chief Minister of Punjab have the constitutional power to change or remove anyone from office.
He further said that as far as Jahangir Khan Tareen is concerned, Jahangir Tareen has not uttered a single word against Prime Minister Imran Khan till date.
He further stated that the PTI government is the biggest supporter of minorities and no injustice will be tolerated against minorities. He went on to say that the doors of Governor House are always open for the minority community.
While talking about Minority Day, he said that purpose of celebrating the day is also to protect the rights of minorities.
The Constitution of Pakistan has enunciated the rights of minorities in detail and all minorities living in Pakistan have full religious freedom, adding that Islam has also stressed on the rights of the minorities.
The governor said that the Ministry of Minority Affairs took the best steps last year, adding that the development budget for minorities has been increased by 5 percent.
Moreover, annual Rs25 million funds have been allocated for the education of students belonging to the minority community.
The Punjab Minister for Minorities while addressing the seminar, said that Prime Minister Imran Khan was truly protecting the lives and property of the minorities living in Pakistan as per the vision of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and today Hindus, Christians, Sikhs and all minorities have full religious freedom, adding that wherever any incident of injustice is reported against the minorities, the government takes strict action against the culprits.
