Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Thursday said the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees equal rights to minorities and the people belonging to all faiths and are free to practice their religion, culture and traditions.
Talking to a group of minority MNAs, who called on him at his chamber at the Parliament House, he said that it was for the first time in the country's history that minorities had been given dual right to vote to ensure their better representation and effective voice in the Parliament.
He said the establishment of the Minorities Division, appointment of a minority MNA as Minister of State and the increased representation of ten minority members in the Parliament were some of the steps taken by the government to increase the participation of minorities in the decision-making process.
The group comprised Akram Masih Gill, Chaudhry Qaiser, Gyanchand Singh, Mushtaq Victor and Devdas. The MNAs congratulated the prime minister on the smooth passage of the budget and the overwhelming attendance shown by the parliamentarians. They also appreciated the quality of debates generated in the Assembly.