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Govt determined to protecting minorities' rights, says Safdar

Recorder Report

Lahore: Punjab Governor Lt. Gen. Muhammad Safdar (Retd) has said that the present government was determined to protecting the rights of minorities, including the Christians, and evolving effective policies to ensure their participation in the national reconstruction process.

He was talking to a four-member delegation, which called on him under the chairmanship of Dr. Andrew Francis at the Governor House here on Thursday.

The governor said that the present government was utilising all available resources to look after the minorities' affairs and fully concentrating on their welfare.

Safdar said that the Christian community had always played an active role in safeguarding the motherland. Their services, particularly in the field of education and health care were commendable, he added.

He maintained that the minorities residing in Pakistan have equal rights and privileges at par with the other citizens under the Constitution of Pakistan.

The way the Christians expressed their solidarity with the suppressed Kashmiris on February 5, provided encouragement to the freedom fighters struggling for their liberation, the governor maintained.

Dr. Andrew Francis expressed his satisfaction over the first speech of Chief Executive General Pervez Musharraf, in which he had ensured complete protection of the minorities' rights.

He assured full support of his community in the implementation of all the steps to be taken by the Punjab government for the improvement in law and order situation in the province.

Dr. Francis also identified various problems faced by the Christians in Sheikhupura, Multan, and Bhawalpur.