Pakistan: Minister in denial about minorities’ persecution

Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf Friday rejected the Human Rights Commission Pakistan (HRCP) Report-2013, saying the minorities were absolutely safe and enjoying equal constitutional rights in the country.

Reacting to the report, he said that the HRCP should avoid distorting facts. “The Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan ensures equal rights to minorities and the government is bound to fulfill its constitutional responsibility,” he added.

He said the government was taking maximum measures to protect the rights of minorities and all possible steps were being taken to safeguard their sacred places across the country.

“The terrorists are targeting the nation and there is no distinction of hitting minorities only,” he said, reminding that various terrorist activities had taken place in mosques, shrines and even religious gathering of Muslims also.

The government has taken a number of steps to protect minority rights, including the establishment of Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, special quota in government jobs, enhanced seats of minorities in parliament, celebration of religious days of minorities officially in country.