Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and religious minorities of Pakistan – The Nation

ISLAMABAD - You are free! You are free to go to your temples. You are free to go to your mosques or to any other places of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion, caste or creedthat has nothing to do with the business of the state, Quaid-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah delivered these historical remarks in his speech on 11th August 1947.

Quaid-Azam in this memorable speech mainly focused on religious freedom, rule of law and equality of all in the country.

The founder of Pakistan set the framework for future national behaviour about the religious minorities in his last speeches by strongly emphasizing that this country is for all segments of religions and everyone is free to go to his worship place whether it is temple, mosque or church.

This laid down the liberal dimensions of ideology as many thought that Pakistan got independence on Islamic basis and there would discrimination with religious minorities.

But, Quaid framed the foundation that Islam is not conservative, and identity and ideology are quite separate entities and not to be mixed. This is the need of the day now that what is meant by independence, liberty, freedom and liberal character of modern statehood orientation.

Following the guidelines of Jinnah, all the governments in Pakistan in their tenure give respect to the religious minorities. The country the other day [August 11, Wednesday] observed the National Minorities Day with full respect to honour the services and sacrifices of the minorities.

Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Arif Alvi, in their separate messages, expressed their views that all communities living in the country will be treated and respected equally so that the country could further march on the path of progress and development.

The participation and celebration of religious minorities on the Independence Day [14th August] with zeal and zest is testimony to the fact that they are being provided equal rights and opportunity in the country without any discrimination.

Following the teaching of the founder of the Pakistan, the governments immediately react in case of any discrimination with minorities in any part of the country. Recently, a news regarding attack on a temple by a mob in Bhong [village in Rahim Yar Khan, Punjab] flashed on electronic media and even some elements made an attempt to negatively portray it on social media. But, the law enforcement agencies on the special instructions of the Prime Minister have taken notice to control the situation in the area.

The lawmakers in the Parliament also unanimously passed a resolution to condemn attack on a Hindu temple, saying that Islam and the Constitution of Pakistan provide protection to the rights of non-Muslims.

The lawmakers, in the recently passed resolution from the National Assembly of Pakistan, reaffirmed the commitment to protect rights of non-Muslims. The lawmakers from both sides of the aisle unanimously expressed their resolve that the steps should be taken to avert such incidents in the future, and Pakistani nation stands by the Hindu community in this hour of grief and sorrow.

Though MNAs expressed their resolve that the non-Muslims should enjoy equal rights in Pakistan, yet they also regretted that the minorities in India are also not safe from the Modi governments oppression. The prompt response of authorities concerned, against the charged mob ransacking the temple, is testimony to the fact that the government in Pakistan is taking care of all the rights of the minorities in the country.

Showing reverence to Quaid on his special message about minorities in the Pakistan, the Independence Day [14th August] is celebrated without any discrimination in the country to reaffirm the commitment that despite belonging to different faiths, we are one nation.

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Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and religious minorities of Pakistan - The Nation