Thursday, 25 April 2024, 07:24:11 pm

Representatives from minority communities term Pakistan as safest place to live and practice religion
August 11, 2022

Dr Mimpal Singh (Member National Commission for minorities): We being the minorities of Pakistan, considered ourselves blessed that we are living in such a country where the minorities are being more respected and more protected than any other copuntry in the world. Quaid e Azam the founder of Pakistan, in his historical speech on 11th August 1947, very clearly guaranteed the freedom of minorities in Pakistan by saying “You are free; you are free to go to your temples; free to go to your mosques or to any other places of worship in the State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or cast or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the state”. In Pakistan, the minorities are enjoying their religious freedom and every government tries to ensure their rights as protected by constitution. Kartarpur Corridor is a classic example of interfaith harmony and respect for minorities in Pakistan. Being a minority, we are privileged with several opportunities and have more respect in the society. This is all because of the preaching of Quaid-e-Azam, which taught us to develop as a nation. Minorities are prioritized in Pakistan and the biggest example of it is me myself.

 Gopal Singh (Member Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee): We celebrate this day with full of joy and pride. Minorities are living worldwide, but the minorities in Pakistan are the happiest and living their lives with free will. We consider more independent than the Muslim communities in this country. The minorities in India are facing atrocities either they are Muslims, Sikh or what so ever. But, in Pakistan either you are a Hindu, Sikh, Christian or whatever, you are more than independent. It is all because of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, when he ensured by saying that every citizen will have their right to practice their religion and live freely despite of any cast, color, race religion etc. We are highly obliged to the Pakistan's government, armed forces and various institutions to treat us as more privileged than other citizens. That's why I can openly say "I love Pakistan".

Satwant Singh (Member Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee): In Pakistan, We don't feel like minorities, because we are not treated as such.The government of Pakistan has made the minorities as their own part by providing them with equal representation in every walk of life. The founder of Sikh religion Guru Nanak was born in area which is part of present day Pakistan and here we have the most beautiful Kartarpur Corridor which holds special importance to the Sikh community. Therefore, what importance Pakistan holds for the Sikh community is not equal to any other community living in the region. Pakistan no doubt  is the safest place for any minority to live and practice their religion without any fear.We are very much blessed that we are living in Pakistan.

Dr Kalyan Singh Kalyan (Faculty member at GC University Lahore): We thank Radio Pakistan for being the voice of minorities on this day of minorities. The minorities in Pakistan have been blessed with complete freedom to practice their religion and celebrate their holy days with complete reverences. Pakistan has provided multiple opportunities and equal representation to all the minorities living in the region. The biggest and most beautiful gift given to the Sikh community is the Kartarpur corridor, which will always be remembered by every Sikh in this world till the Day of Judgment. We are more than blessed to be living in such a state where minorities are prioritized than majorities.