ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: President Mamnoon Hussain has assured a gathering of religious leaders from various faiths that the incumbent government would purge the education curriculum of hate material, if there is any, to promote interfaith harmony in the society.
While addressing a dinner reception hosted by Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony for representatives of different faiths in connection with the National Minorities Day annually observed on August 11, he said the government was currently revisiting the curriculum, so the issue could be addressed, if it is accurately pointed out.
He was of the view that he had never been in the know of any such material. There could be any such unwanted material in the curriculum of any particular educational institution; however it should be pointed out to rid of it.
The ceremony was also attended by Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousuf, Minister for SAFRON Lt. General Abdul Qadir Baloch, State Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Aminul Hasnaat, Parliamentary Secretary Khalil George, parliamentarians and diplomats.
President Mamnoon said that all possible measures would be taken to promote religious harmony in the country and it was the responsibility of the entire nation to work for the stability and supremacy of our country by keeping all the differences aside.
The president said that the basis of religious tolerance in Pakistan was not only based on the provisions provided in the constitution and laws but our cultural traditions and religious teachings also provide its foundation.
He emphasized that the values of brotherhood and equal treatment to all citizens of the country were embedded in our minds.
He underscored that this feeling was part of our temperament, education and training and added that this passion will lead Pakistan towards its real destination and development.
The president noted some untoward incidents affecting the religious harmony was perpetrated by a handful of elements which was neither supported by the people of Pakistan nor the law of this land and beliefs.
He also said that sometimes materialistic interests were behind incidents against minorities adding that the government would leave no stone unturned to crush these elements.
The president stated that minorities had always played a proactive role for the development and progress of the motherland and their sacrifices in the defence of the country were less than none.
He lauded the bravery and valor displayed by the non-Muslim military officers and soldiers during wars with enemies and said that it would be mentioned in golden letters in history.
Similarly, he added that the services of our non-Muslim brothers and sisters in the fields of medicine and education are remarkable for which the nation was grateful to them.
The president further said that the Minorities Day should not only be celebrated as a tradition but as a national duty to promote brotherhood and fraternity in the country in accordance with the teachings of the Father of the Nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
He also highlighted that the sayings of Quaid-e-Azam regarding the minorities are basis of our national policy.
He also stated that the Constitution of Pakistan guaranteed complete religious and cultural freedom and protection of the rights of the minorities and they were also fully involved in affairs of the state.
He pointed out that in order to fulfill these constitutional requirements the government was constantly engaged to ensure satisfaction and protection of non-Muslim communities so that no citizen of the country could complain of discriminatory treatment.
In his address, Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said as suggested by PML-N MNA Ramesh Kumar, the replacement of word `minorities’ with `non-Muslim citizens’ would require legislative amendment.
He also lighted the steps being taken by his ministry for welfare of religious minorities.
Representatives of various religious communities also addressed the ceremony.
The ceremony also marked an impressive singing of national songs by the girls from different educational institutions which was also highly lauded by the president.
