Punjab government has allocated rupees 200 million in the current budget for the welfare of minorities. Spreading the message of love, peace and joy is the real spirit of Christmas. We are Pakistanis first and then Muslims, Christians, Hindus or Sikhs.
Provincial Minister for Law, Rana Sanaullah Khan and Minister for Human Rights and Minorities, Kamran Michael expressed these views while addressing a special function held in connection with cutting a Christmas cake and lighting Christmas candles at Al-Hamra, Lahore on Friday.
Rana Sanaullah said that the elements, committing blasphemy against the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and other prophets and thereby promoting hatred among the people, deserve no mercy. He further said that no religion permits terrorism, suicide attacks and burning the houses of others. He said that the elements engaged in such activities have no religion and they are enemy of Pakistan.
Kamran Michael said that founder of Pakistan Quaid Azam had said that the followers of different religions and schools of thought will not be minorities but considered Pakistanis. Therefore, there is a need for making collective efforts for progress and prosperity of the country, he added.
Members Provincial Assembly, Rana Asif Mehmood, Joel Aamir Sahutra, Secretary Human Rights and Minorities Punjab Arshad Bin Ahmad, Moulana Abdul Khabir, Azad, Ramesh J Pal, Paster Hizqi L Sarosh and others in their speeches stressed the need for promotion of inter-religions harmony, patriotism, unity and tolerance. Later, Provincial Law Minister, Rana Sanaullah Khan and Minister for Minorities, Kamran Michael and various Ulema cut Christmas cake and prayed for progress and prosperity of the country by lighting the Christmas candles.