Islam, Pakistan’s Constitution give special rights to minorities: Gilani
ISLAMABAD, Mar 14 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said on Monday that Islam, Constitution of Pakistan and manifesto of Pakistan People’s Party gave special rights to minorities. The tolerant people of Pakistan, he said, have always happily co-existed with the believers of all faiths. The Prime Minister was talking to Ms. Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, who rang him up on Monday evening to express sympathies and condolences over the assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti, Minister for Minorities Affairs.
The Prime Minister said late Shahbaz Bhatti was a national leader who fell victim to terror like thousands of other Pakistani martyrs, in this war against extremism and terrorism.
As a member of the federal cabinet, he added, Shahbaz Bhatti was the ambassador of inter-faith harmony and had made great contribution for bringing the people of different faiths closer.
It was with his efforts, he said, that special seats for minorities were created in the Senate of Pakistan.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan being a frontline state against terrorism and extremism had made great sacrifices and paid a heavy price.
Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany while expressing condolences over the assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti, said that the government and the people of Germany stand with Pakistan in its resolve to fight terrorism.
Shahbaz Bhatti, she agreed, had worked closely with the government and the people of Germany to promote inter-faith harmony and helped develop better understanding among people of different faiths and ethnicity.
While expressing her solidarity, she said that the entire peace loving international community appreciated the role that Pakistan was playing to fight terrorism.
She assured that Germany would continue to support Pakistan in its endeavours to eradicate this menace.
The Prime Minister thanked the Chancellor of Germany for her concern and kind gesture of expressing solidarity with Pakistan.
He also thanked Germany for the assistance extended for the flood victims in Pakistan as well as German Chancellor’s personal efforts to raise funds.