Zardari vows to bring minorities into mainstream

Islamabad, Aug.10 (ANI): President Asif Ali Zardari has reiterated the commitment of the present government to protect the rights of minorities in Pakistan and to draw them fully into the mainstream of national life.

Zardari, while addressing a gathering of minorities on National Minorities Day , said the government was committed to ensure equal rights for all the minorities.

The News quoted Zardari, as saying that recognition of and respect for the minorities' rights was part of the Pakistan Peoples Party manifesto.

Counting government's measures for the welfare of minorities, he said that reservation of five percent quota in government jobs, reservation of four seats for minorities in the Senate, hundred percent increase in the Minority Development Fund, declaration of 11th August as Minority Day and establishment of prayer rooms in all prisons of Pakistan were some of the initiatives taken by the present government to bring minorities into the mainstream of national life.

He expressed confidence, that after the passage of 18th Amendment, the provinces will ensure that all communities can freely profess and practice their religions and also safeguard their legitimate and rightful interests.

He called upon scholars and leaders of all faiths to play their active role and enter into dialogue to remove the distrust and misunderstandings among the followers of different religions. (ANI)