Paul Bhatti for promoting interfaith harmony

RAWALPINDI: The promotion of interfaith dialogue and harmony among the people of different faiths is need of the hour said Advisor to the Prime Minister on National Harmoney Dr. Paul Bhatti,here Wednesday.

Addressing as chief guest here at a seminar on 'Minority Rights in Pakistan; Challenges and Prospects' organized by Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU) Dr. Paul said that minorities in Pakistan have been fighting with terrorism, illiteracy and poverty.Time has come to get united against these nuisances to promote interfaith dialogue and harmony among the people of different faiths to creating an environment of peace and tolerance in the society.

The event was attended by the speakers of different universities, chairpersons of different departments of the university; faculty and students of FJWU.

The other worthy speakers were Dr. Shahzad Iqbal Sham, Associate Professor, Shariah Academy, International Islamic University Islamabad, Dr. Muhammad Khan, Head of Department International Relations, Faculty of Contemporary Studies (FCS), National Defence University (NDU) Islamabad and Dr. Maqsud ul Hassan Nuri, Acting President, Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI), Dr. Suhail Shahzad, Director School of Law, Hazara University Mansehra, Ms. Syeda Viquar-un-nisa Hashmi, Attorney & Consultant, High Court, Islamabad, Prof. Dr. Sarah Safdar, Business Administration Department, Iqra University, Peshawar, Azhar Shahbaz Khan, Assistant Professor, Defense& Diplomatic Studies Department, FJWU, and Dr. Shoaib Ahmed, Director, Muhammad Ali Jinnah University, Islamabad.

Dr. Samina Amin Qadir gave a brief introduction of the university and welcomed the guest speaker. Dr. Saima A. Kiyani, Chairperson, Department of Defense and Diplomatic Studies briefed about the programme.

Dr. Paul Bhatti said that the minorities all over the world should have security, equality and protection of the fundamental rights irrespective of their religion, caste or creed as the statistics show that the nations which ensure the rights of the minorities are experiencing peace and development.

The founding father Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in his address to the Members of Pakistan's first Constituent Assembly on August 11, 1947 declared equal rights and freedom to express faith, he said.

The Government of Pakistan is trying its best to protect the rights of the minorities and subsequently four seats have been reserved for them in Senate, five percent quota has been fixed in government jobs and 11 August has been declared as minority day in addition festivals of minorities are being celebrated officially to give them feelings that they are too important citizens of Pakistan. For this reason, Minorities Day is observed on 11th August to commemorate the historical speech of Quaid and also to celebrate the efforts made by the minorities in Pakistan Movement.

He appreciated the administration of the Fatima Jinnah Women University for organizing a seminar on the rights and issues of the minorities.