Saturday, August 6, 2011

National Commission for minorities’ protection soon

ISLAMABAD (APP) - Minister of State for National Harmony Akram Masih Gill has said that a National Commission will be established for the protection of the rights of the minorities in the country to promote interfaith harmony among different sects. 
The minister expressed these views while talking to Second Secretary Political, British High commission, Ben Stride, who called on him here on Thursday. He said Ministry of National Harmony has been formed, which will have six departments pertaining to federal legislation about minorities’ affairs.
Akram Gill said the ministry will promote peace, patience and tolerance in the country and also work for understanding and brotherhood among people of different sects or different schools of thought. The ministry will also promote inter-faith harmony in the country and enact new laws and take policy decisions to promote inter-faith harmony and also look after international agreements about minorities.
He said representatives will be sent at United Nations sub-commission on prevention of discrimination to minorities and a welfare fund will be established in the ministry for the development of the minorities and scholarships will be given to their children. The minister thanked the British government for announcing development assistance for the reduction of poverty, promotion of education and health sectors in Pakistan and for extending helping hand when the floods hit the country in 2010.