Protection of minorities' rights constitutional duty: Prime Minister

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said that it is Constitutional duty of the government to protect the right of minorities.
In his message on Christmas Day, he said that "the government regards the protection of rights of the minorities as its constitutional duty and is committed to their welfare." The Prime Minister extended felicitation and greeting to the Christian Community inside and outside Pakistan on behalf of the people and government of Pakistan.
It is the day when Jesus Christ came to the world as a Messiah and brought with him a message of peace, love and security. God sent him to the world at a time when people were bogged down in the darkness of ignorance, greed, hatred and deceit. His arrival ushered in a new era of enlightenment.
He brought about such a spiritual revolution as changed the tone and tenor of life of mankind. Muslims around the world regard Jesus Christ as revered messenger of Allah Almighty and hold him in the highest esteem. Allah Almighty sent him as a messenger of hope, peace and human brotherhood. His teachings and sayings are a beacon of light for the entire humanity.
The Government of Pakistan regards the protection of rights of the minorities as its constitutional duty and is committed to their welfare. The Constitution of 1973 guarantees complete religious freedom, social justice, and equality of rights to the minorities. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Founder of Pakistan, said about the minorities in his famous August 11 speech. He said, "You are free you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place or worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the State. "The Government believes that the Christians, indeed all minorities of Pakistan are equal citizens of the state and are entitled to equal rights. The present democratic government declared August 11 as the National Day of the Minorities, which is aimed at eulogising the contributions and achievements of the minorities for the development of Pakistan. Minorities are my constituency. They enjoy representation in the National Assembly and the Senate of Pakistan. The implementation of 5 percent job quota is also being ensured in all the federal jobs for the minorities in addition to their participation in open merit. On my instructions, the district administration is also going to arrange Christmas bazaars this year. I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate the commitment of the Government of Pakistan to ensure the rights of minorities as enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan.-PR