ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi has asserted that the government was taking steps to provide equal opportunities to minorities and protect their rights as enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan.
The president expressed these views while talking to a delegation of National Minorities Commission (NCM), led by Chairman Chela Ram Kewlani that called on him at Aiwan-e-Sadr, Islamabad on Tuesday.
Chairman, Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Moulana Syed Abdul Khabir Azad, Jaipal Chhabria, Mufti Gulzar Naeemi, Vishno Raja, Dr Sara Safdar and other members of the NCM also attended the meeting.
The President highlighted that minorities were playing an active role in the development of the country and the government was making serious efforts to ensure their inclusion in the political and economic system of the country.
He further said that the government was taking measures for the protection and maintenance of all worship places of minorities, including the churches, shrines, temples and gurdwaras.
“In addition to general merit, the PTI government had allocated 5 percent job quota for minorities and was providing scholarships and financial assistance to students belonging to minority groups,” he added.
The President also added, “Youth and women from minority groups could avail business loans on easy terms and conditions under the Prime Minister’s Kamyab Jawan Programme.”
While regretting the fact that minority quota in the federal government jobs remained unutilized, he urged the minority leaders to encourage the youth in their communities to get education and avail the employment opportunities.
The delegation apprised the president of their issues and he assured them of taking all possible steps to address their problems. The delegation also lauded the efforts of the president for taking a keen interest in the welfare of minorities.
The president commended the NCM’s efforts in safeguarding the rights of minorities and expressed the hope that it would continue to play its role in promoting religious harmony and peace in the country.
