PPP-led govt safeguards minorities' rights: APMA

ISLAMABAD - Shahbaz Bhatti, Chairman, All Pakistan Minorities Alliance and PPP parliamentarian, on Tuesday said that 100-day rule of PPP-led government had taken significant steps to safeguard the rights of minorities and urged all democratic forces of the country to unite for the greater interest of the country.   "The PPP government has given representation to minorities in the Senate, PM Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani announced quota for them in government services and also doubled special fund reserved for minorities", he said while addressing a press conference at the sixth foundation day of APMA. "The minorities of Pakistan repose their full trust on PPP government and leadership of Asif Ali Zardari. On the sixth anniversary of the alliance birth, we declare that our aim is not to secure power and rule rather we will continue striving for the prosperity of country by promoting interfaith harmony and establishing true democratic norms in society", Bhatti noted. He said that the minorities of the country had sacrificed a lot from the birth of Pakistan to the present day. "The objective of APMA is to establish a country on the vision of Quaid-e-Azam that tells democracy, moderation, equity and religious tolerance", he observed. Shahbaz Bhatti, who is also member of the National Assembly on reserved seat from PPP, said that minorities had played pivotal role in the prosperity of country and betterment of nation. Bhatti said that Christian educational institutions as well as charity hospitals were rendering great services for the nation. " From Benazir Bhutto to present day Prime Minister, all the important leaders of Pakistan passed through convent schools to get top slots", he noted. He said that Christian community was running hundreds of hospitals and basic health units across the country to serve the sick at their doorstep.     The APMA Chairman paid glowing tributes to Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto for her services to safeguard the rights of minorities in the country. " I pay tributes to the struggle of Shaheed BB for people's freedom, restoration of democracy and defending minorities' rights", he added. He said that the minorities of the country under the flag of APMA were united to serve the nation.    He said that despite various challenges confronting the nation, the incumbent parliament would complete its tenure and fulfill its pledges made with the masses. He urged all democratic forces of the country to back PPP in its fight against terrorism, inflation, poverty and unemployment. "APMA's agenda is to flourish the culture of equity and tolerance in the country and its mission is to serve downtrodden without any discrimination and prejudice", he observed. Responding a question, PPP parliamentarian said that in the forthcoming cabinet expansion, the party would induct a minister from minorities to give them due representation.   In the press conference, Chairman APMA, Shahbaz Bhatti was accompanied by Tahir Naveed Chaudhry (MPA, Punjab), Pervez Rafique (MPA, Punjab), Mrs Najmi Saleem (MPA, Punjab), Jaffar George (MPA, Balochistan), Prince Javed (MPA, NWFP) and Saleem Khokhar (MPA, Sindh); all associated with APMA and elected on reserved seats on PPP platform.