ISLAMABAD: Dr. Paul Bhatti advisor to prime minister on national harmony on Thursday said world leaders belonging to different religion have been invited on International Interfaith Harmony conference planned for February this year regarding promotion of interfaith harmony and interfaith relationships at national and international levels to deal with the challenges in current scenario.
Apprising about the performance of his ministry during year 2011, he said Ministry of National Harmony was formed with the prime focus on interfaith dialogue to address the issues like discrimination in the name of religion, poverty, illiteracy, education, health and empowerment of minorities.
The ministry celebrated major Hindu festival of Deewali, and Christmas in befitting manner by decorating the religious places of the minorities, providing them protection and announcing incentives for them.
He said Shahbaz Bhatti Memorial Trust has been established to impart education and empower the marginalized communities of minorities.
Paul Bhatti said the international community expressed its concern at various platforms with regards to condition of minorities living in Pakistan and their future in religious extremism and terrorism.
"Such issues can be addressed by promoting interfaith harmony and creating religious tolerance," he said.
The democratic set-up in the country would help strengthen the policies for creating a society where peace, religious freedom, civil co-existence and human dignity are respected.
"The new ministry is mainly dealing with the establishment of committees on national harmony at local level with proper registration for making a record of issues faced by minorities and seeking their solutions," he said.
The establishment of the Ministry of National Harmony is the commitment of government to draw the minorities to main stream making them play vital role in the development of the country and contribute to every sphere of life.
Talking about steps taken by the government for the minorities in Pakistan he said four seats have been reserved for minorities in Senate, five percent quota fixed in government jobs, declaration of August 11 as national minority's day and approval of optional holiday for Christmas are the major achievements besides resolving many other pending issues.
He said his ministry is committed to socio-economic uplift of minorities by imparting them education and promoting interfaith harmony.
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