LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that Islam upholds highest values of social justice and peace and has given the message of ensuring human rights, equality and peaceful co-existence.

In his message on International Human Rights Day, the chief minister said that the purpose of observing this day is to highlight the importance of human rights. He said that violation of human rights results in lawlessness and chaos.

He said that protection of basic human rights of all citizens without any discrimination is the prime responsibility of a state.

He said that protection of human rights is the sign of a civilized society. He said that Muslim League-N government has taken practical measures for ensuring basic rights of all citizens including minorities and solid measures have been taken for elimination of child labour, promotion of religious harmony and justice without any discrimination.

The chief minister said that effective legislation has been carried out for upholding basic rights of women and giving protection to them at their workplace. Shehbaz Sharif said that provincial government has taken solid steps for making special persons useful citizens of the society and ensuring a dignified status to them.

Shehbaz Sharif said that democracy, peace and human rights are interlinked and promotion of a culture of tolerance, forgiveness and respect for human rights is the need of the hour.