ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that respect for minority rights is the basis of Pakistan ideology, and "together we march hand in hand towards a prosperous and inclusive future".

According to a statement of the Foreign Office, members of the National Commission for Minorities headed by its chairman Chela Ram Kewlani met with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"Pleased to receive members of National Commission for Minorities. Respect for minority rights is the basis of Pakistan Ideology, core tenet of our faith. Together we march hand in hand towards a prosperous and inclusive future, upholding the sanctity of the white in our flag," Qureshi said a tweet after the meeting.

The Foreign Office statement added that the foreign minister assured full support to Commission, saying that it was the manifesto of the PTI government to support the minorities and their rights.

"Today, the role of the Minority Commission has become more important," he added. He said that all minorities would be given protection, adding that minorities had been playing their role in the nation building and development of Pakistan, adding: "We will undertake all possible efforts to protect rights of the minorities and solve their problems".

Referring to the situations of the minorities in India, he said that the entire world was protesting against the Indian attitude towards minorities, adding that an unconstitutional attempt was being made to change the population ratio by amending the domicile rules in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

The foreign minister added that Pakistan had set a practical precedent for the whole world by opening Kartarpur Corridor for the Sikh pilgrims from India and rest of the world.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020