The tradition of observing the day was
initiated in 2009 by President Zardari
I participated in celebrations every year
Staff Reporter
Karachi: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has reiterated his government’s firm commitment to protecting the rights of religious minorities, declaring that Pakistan belongs equally to all citizens regardless of their faith.
Speaking at a joint event celebrating National Minority Day at the historic Swami Narayan Mandir, the CM congratulated minority communities and recalled that the tradition of observing the day was initiated in 2009 by former President Asif Ali Zardari. He noted that he has participated in these celebrations every year since.
The gathering was attended by minority representatives including MPAs Gianchand Ukrani, Ms Tushna Patel, Dinsha B. Aavri, Deputy Speaker Anthony Naveed, CM’s Special Assistant Dr Lal Chand Ukrani, Senator Poonjo Bheel, MNA Dr Mahesh Malani, Sham Sundar, Roma Mushtaq Matto, Mahesh Kumar Hasiji, Aneel Kumar, Sardar Ram Singh, Professor Parkash Lal, and others.
Historic Significance of August 11
Shah highlighted that on August 11, 1947, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah delivered his historic speech in the Sindh Assembly, affirming that minorities are free to worship in their mosques, temples, and churches, and that religion is a personal matter for which the state has no concern.
He credited Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto for enshrining minority protections in the 1973 Constitution and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto for consistently supporting minority communities. He noted that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has passed several laws to protect minority rights.
Sindh’s Tradition of Tolerance
The CM praised Sindh’s centuries-old tradition of religious harmony, inspired by Sufi saints such as Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, and Sachal Sarmast. He contrasted Sindh’s inclusivity with incidents of intolerance abroad, particularly in developed nations and India.
Murad Shah also announced recruitment of members from respective faiths into the police force to protect their places of worship. He assured that the PPP and Sindh government will serve all citizens without discrimination, following the vision of Quaid-e-Azam, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, and Benazir Bhutto.
Political Engagement and Development
In a media talk, Shah reaffirmed PPP’s commitment to protecting Sindh’s rights and maintaining constructive engagement with the federal government. He highlighted recent ECNEC approvals for all Sindh projects, including three sections of the Hyderabad–Sukkur Motorway, and thanked Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar for facilitating cooperation.
Forced Conversions and Law Enforcement
The CM addressed concerns about forced religious conversions, stressing that neither religion nor law permits such practices. On a tragic traffic accident that claimed two lives, Shah condemned reckless driving and criticised the burning of seven dump trucks in retaliation, warning of strict legal action against miscreants.
He directed transporters to install cameras in all dump trucks and ensure drivers have valid licenses, with a 15-day compliance deadline.
Anti-Narcotics Campaign
Shah reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance policy on narcotics, reporting significant arrests in the past three months. He urged collective efforts to eliminate the menace from Sindh.
Earlier, the CM visited the Swami Narayan Mandir with Hindu community leaders, receiving traditional shawls and flowers, and later visited the Gurdwara alongside Sikh community leaders.
