Govt to ensure equality, tolerance, Justice and harmony: Chairman Senate

Chairman Senate Farooq H.Naek has highlighted the efforts made by the Government of Pakistan to ensure equality, tolerance, Justice and harmony among various faiths in the country. He was talking to a delegation of bishops and Ulemas from Philippine headed by Isabel G. Tobias Secretary General Presidential Council on Interfaith Initiatives who called upon him here on Saturday. All religions believe in one God and responsibilities of all people to their fellow human beings. The first agreement the Prophet of Islam signed after migration to Madina with Jewish community in which their rights were fully protected and complete religious freedom was granted to all communities living there. This agreement serves as a real charter of interfaith harmony,religious,tolerance and equality of citizens, chairman senate emphasized. Farooq H. Naek also informed the delegation about the history of steps and measures taken by Pakistan since its inception for the protection of minorities from Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah to Mohtarma Benazir Bhotto Shaheed. Article 25 of the constitution of Pakistan ensures equality of all before law,however,you cannot defy the holy books and Prophets. In a reply to a question the chairman senate said that the government was considering to introduce protection of minorities act in the Parliament to protect the personal laws of different religious in Pakistan. Senate standing committee on religious Affairs ensures that harmony is mentioned among other religious communities, he added. The head of delegation Isabel G. Tobias remarked about the warm relations between Pakistan and Philippine expressed her desire to learn from the experiences of Pakistan in the area of interfaith relations. Among others the delegation included Jesus I. Yabes,Ambassador,Philippine Ambassador to Pakistan and FERNANDO CAPALLA Archbishop,archdiocese of Davao BUC convenor.

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