As an independent and sovereign country, Pakistan is a peaceful bode for all, irrespective of caste, creed, and religion and it has always stood for the protection of religious freedom of all minorities (non-Muslims).
This has quite rightly and emphatically stated by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi while addressing a gathering of Hindu community in Ghotki, Sindh province, the other day.
According to the reports in the media, the PM while expressing his discontent over Pakistan’s inclusion in the US’s list of countries intolerant towards their minorities said the federal government ensures religious freedom to all the minorities living in the country and supports their stance for religious freedom.
Duly visibly puzzled by the report about the religious freedom of the minorities, the PM forcefully said he wants to tell the US Pakistan belongs to Hindus as much as to others, under the Constitution all are equal and have equal rights, it is the responsibility of the government whether it is the federal or a provincial government to protect rights of every citizen and are duty bound to ensure freedom of Pakistan and was created for this objective.
Needless to mention here that Founder of Pakistan Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had at the very start of its appearance on the world map out of nowhere had very clearly stated now that Pakistan has come into existence, everyone living and breathing within its geographical frontiers is a Pakistani and enjoys equal rights be he a Christian, Hindu, Sikh or professing any faith or religion.
The Trump administration of the US should remove covers of prejudices and biases from its minds, hearts, and eyes towards Pakistan and see everything realistically and clearly as per the ground realities.
ASMAAR BILAL,
Lahore, January 7.