KARACHI, Saturday, August 9, 2025 (WNP): State Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Kheal Das Kohistani on Saturday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to safeguarding the rights of minorities in accordance with the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Addressing a gathering at the Federation House to mark Minorities Day, Kohistani said the occasion, observed annually since 2009, serves as a reminder of the Quaid’s pledge to ensure equality and justice for all citizens.
“The words of the Quaid regarding minorities were not mere statements but a guiding document. The Constitution of Pakistan and the principles of Islam forbid any form of coercion, and the government will continue to enact laws and ensure justice to address the issues faced by minorities,” he said.
The minister noted that all political parties, including PTI and MQM, were invited to attend the event. He described this year’s Independence Day celebrations as “unique,” claiming Pakistan had not only defeated its enemy on the battlefield but also shattered its arrogance.
While emphasizing that Pakistan harbors no hostility toward the people of India, Kohistani reiterated Islamabad’s opposition to New Delhi’s policies, particularly on the Kashmir dispute, and called for its resolution in line with United Nations resolutions.
Praising the armed forces under the leadership of Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, Kohistani linked the Independence Day spirit to what he described as a setback for India. He alleged that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s political standing was in decline and recalled the aftermath of the Pulwama incident, when Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had offered an impartial third-party investigation—an initiative that, Kohistani said, strengthened Pakistan’s global narrative.
Condemning attempts to link Islam with terrorism, the minister said such actions were aimed at serving political agendas. He stressed that Pakistan acted responsibly during heightened tensions, avoiding harm to Indian civilians despite damage caused to Pakistani civilian areas.
