At the National Assembly Hall, the National Assembly hosted the Minority Convention on the occasion of National Minority Day. In a resolution, NA stressed the fundamental right of every person to profess, practice, and promote their religion in accordance with the law, the public order, and morals.
The resolution recognized the contributions made by minorities in Pakistan who have served and helped the country advance. The NA has also stated its intention to use the legal system to protect the rights and interests of Pakistan’s minorities.
According to the resolution, the National Assembly is aware of the state’s obligation under Article 33 of the Constitution to deter discrimination and local, racial, tribal, religious, and provincial biases among its people.
Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Speaker of the National Assembly, welcomed everyone to the convention and referred to it as a first-of-its-kind gathering that included members of all minority communities in addition to lawmakers. As a member of the country, he said it was an honor for him to welcome them.
Read more: National Minorities Day observed in Pakistan
The Speaker stated that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s speech on August 11, 1947, served as the foundation for the declaration of this day as National Minority Day. According to him, the National Convention on Minorities was organized in National Assembly Hall to commemorate that day in the same spirit. He claimed that the white stripe in the Pakistani flag represents the nation’s minorities, who are essential to the country’s success and development.
The convention conducted in conjunction with the 1st Constituent Assembly’s Diamond Jubilee festivities saw remarks from Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the chairman of the Pakistan Peoples’ Party. He also proposed that Raja Pervez Ashraf, Speaker of the National Assembly, form a committee with members from each major party to study issues pertaining to minorities, such as forced conversions and other minority-related issues.
He said, “the forced conversions are an issue as Islam and the constitution did not permit forced conversions and we should come together and legislate to put an end to this”.
Read more: World Minorities day: Pakistan reminds the world of Kashmiri plight
“Indeed, the minorities in Pakistan are an integral part of our socio-national fabric, and on this day, I assure all minority communities that the government will make all efforts to safeguard their rights and work for their well-being,” said the President Dr. Arif Alvi.
MNA Dr. Ramesh Vankwani posted a message on his twitter
MNA @RVankwani's message on National Minorities' Day. #Diamond_Jubilee_Celebrations #1st_Constituent_Assembly #میرا_پارلیمان_رہبرِ_ترقی_و_کمال #75yearOfIndependence #75YearsOfLegislation
#PakistanZindabad pic.twitter.com/zrjgW4Q3YK— National Assembly 🇵🇰 (@NAofPakistan) August 11, 2022
The twitter account of National Assembly also tweeted a picture of the passed resolution
Resolution passed in #Minorities_Convention held at National Assembly of Pakistan 🇵🇰 in connection with #Diamond_Jubilee_Celebrations of the #1st_Constituent_Assembly.#NationalMinoritiesDay #میرا_پارلیمان_رہبرِ_ترقی_و_کمال#EqualityMatters #75yearOfIndependence pic.twitter.com/dlRjrhJGdI
— National Assembly 🇵🇰 (@NAofPakistan) August 11, 2022