PESHAWAR – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Information and Public Relations, Mian Iftikhar Hussain, has said that Awami National Party believes in the well being of masses and service of humanity.
He added that his party believed in protection of masses basic rights without any discrimination of religion, creed, gender and language. He said the incumbent provincial government of ANP has taken effective measures including legislation to protect the rights of minorities, children and women.
He expressed these views while addressing as chief guest at two separate functions of Christmas arranged by Christian community in Peshawar the other day.
He said that the teachings of all the prophets including the Christ assert fraternity, love, mutual respect, and coexistence which guarantee peace and serenity in the world if followed in their true sense but unfortunately we, as a whole, have given up these golden teachings and principles which has resulted in extremism and terrorism posing a serious threats to the peace of the world.
Today intolerance has reached the extent that blood of innocent human beings is shed only for imposing one’s thoughts and ideas, which no religion and creed allows, he lamented.
Regarding the terrorist elements he said that terrorists are only terrorists and are not associated with any religion, place or creed, they are just the enemies of humanity who indiscriminately targeted people regardless of religion, age, gender, profession and place to achieve their evil agenda.
Referring to the steps taken by the provincial government to protect human rights the provincial minister said that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government was the first of all the provincial governments to make effective legislation to protect the rights of children, women and minorities adding that in this regard the federal government has recognized the efforts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government by awarding two human rights Awards to the member of the provincial cabinet including himself.
The functions ware attended by a large number of Christian community who prayed for peace and prosperity of the country. On this occasion the provincial minister cut the cakes of Christmas.