ISLAMABAD - Former interior minister Rehman Malik yesterday said that India was trying to eliminate Muslims and other minorities in India.

Speaking at an event organised here at his residence on ‘Minorities Day,’ he said Pakistan provides equal status to minorities as citizens. “I will call it ‘Inter-Faith Harmony Day’ rather than ‘Minority Day’ as I don’t like the word minority to be used for the people of my own country. Attack on Hindu temple in Rahim Yar Khan is strongly condemned and strict actions against those who were involved is demanded,” he said.

The Pakistan People’s Party leader urged the nation to live with unity for a happy, peaceful, and progressive Pakistan above all differences. A number of religious scholars and representatives of Christian minorities from across the country attended the ceremony. Among participants, Basharat Khokhar, sisters Parveen Lal, Catherine Maria, Katherine Mehnga and Pastors Waheed Javed, Patras Salamat, Fr. Sylvester Joseph, Fr. Asif Joya, and Archibishop Sebastian Francis were prominent. Rehman Malik said, “August 11 is observed as National Minority Day to recall the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.”

 and to reaffirm commitment that we all citizens of various faiths are one nation under the flag of Pakistan.” 

He said August 11 reflects vision of Father of the Nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who on this day in 1947 laid down the foundations of a modern and progressive Pakistan. Quaid had a dream of Pakistan where everyone would have equal rights regardless of creed, caste, and gender.

He said that PPP had been the real representative of minority and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto rendered great services to protect the rights of minorities and the legacy is being carried forward by Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. He said that having different religions and cultures in the same country is not less than a blessing.

Rehman Malik said that followers of all religions in Pakistan were free to exercise, profess and practice their religion and culture. He said that all political parties of the country should encourage the active participation of minorities and provide them with full opportunities to serve the country. He also demanded the construction of Churches and temples in new Housing Societies both public and private and appealed to CDA to renovate Churches in Kachi Abadis (slums) of Islamabad. He demanded the government to direct Higher Education Commission (HEC) to allocate quota for minorities in every university on scholarships.

“Let us all as a nation reaffirm our commitment to build Pakistan where we all can live with love, peace, and tranquility. They also prayed for the departed souls of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto, and Shehbaz Bhatti. They prayed for a peaceful, progressive, and prosperous Pakistan,” he added. 

The minority leaders and representatives thanked Senator Rehman Malik for organizing the ceremony. Senator Rehman Malik announced that soon under the banner of the Institute of Research and Reforms (IRR) he will be organizing an ‘Interfaith Harmony Conference wherein religious scholars from all faiths shall be invited.