ICC Note:

Religious minorities, including Christians, in Pakistan celebrated another National Minorities Day on August 11th. Each year, on August 11, Pakistan remembers the services and sacrifices made to the nation by religious minorities. Despite this day, religious minorities in Pakistan are still treated as second-class citizens. Unable to hold the country’s highest political offices, widespread discrimination and, at times, outright hostility are ever present for Pakistan’s religious minorities. Will National Minorities Day ever be celebrated with religious minorities being equal citizens? 

08/13/2017 Pakistan (Kashmir Watch) – Every year, on August 11, Pakistan officially observes the National Minorities Day to honor the services and sacrifices, rendered by religious minorities for the country over the years. This very day also recognizes the contribution and sacrifices of minorities in creation of Pakistan and nation-building.

On this occasion, events, seminars and social gatherings are arranged across the country by members of various religious minorities and the ministry of National Harmony.

The Government of Pakistan declared 11 August as National Minority Day in 2009. It has always been the endeavor of the Government to safeguard fundamental rights, safety, security, honor, life, liberty and prosperity of minorities in line with the historic speech of founder of the nation Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah at the Constituent Assembly on August 11, 1947. In his speech, Quaid-e-Azam said, “You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place of worship in this state of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the state.”

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