A United Nations delegation led by Mohamed Yahya, UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Pakistan, visited the historic St Patrick’s Cathedral in Karachi to discuss minority welfare, interfaith harmony and social development.
The delegation included Afke Bootsman, Head of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Pakistan, and Imran Khan Laghari, Provincial Coordinator of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Sindh.
At the invitation of the church administration, Roma Mushtaq Matto, Member of the Sindh Provincial Assembly and Parliamentary Secretary for Minorities Affairs, also attended the visit and welcomed the UN delegation.
Church officials and Fathers briefed the visitors on the history and religious significance of St Patrick’s Cathedral, as well as its services for the Christian community and its welfare and social initiatives.
Welcoming the delegation, Matto stressed the importance of joint efforts to promote religious harmony, interfaith respect and the welfare of minority communities in Pakistan.
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She said greater mutual respect, tolerance and dialogue among people of different faiths could contribute to strengthening peace and social harmony.
Matto also appreciated the UN’s work in humanitarian assistance, sustainable development, climate-related challenges, disaster response and support for vulnerable communities.
She said the Pakistan Peoples Party leadership had consistently emphasised tolerance, equality, human rights and minority protection. She added that, under the leadership of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, the Sindh government was taking practical measures to support minorities and other sections of society while promoting equal opportunities.
Matto said stronger cooperation among the Sindh government, the United Nations, religious institutions and social organisations could advance public welfare, social inclusion and sustainable development.
She added that the PPP leadership viewed all religious communities in Pakistan as equal partners in the country’s development and prosperity.
Mohamed Yahya thanked the church Fathers, administration and Matto for their hospitality. He highlighted the importance of joint initiatives to promote religious harmony, tolerance, social inclusion and human development.
During the visit, the UN delegation, Matto and church officials exchanged views on minority welfare, interfaith harmony, human development, social inclusion and community-level cooperation.
The visit concluded in a cordial atmosphere, with participants expressing a shared commitment to promoting peace, tolerance, mutual respect and cooperation among Pakistan’s diverse religious communities.
