President Asif Ali Zardari said on Monday that Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government and its coalition partners are committed to make Pakistan a tolerant and progressive society as envisioned by Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Addressing members of Christian community of Karachi at a reception hosted in their honour, the President said ongoing war against a prejudiced and intolerant mindset would be continued till the Founder of the Nation's vision is realised in its truest spirit.
"This is a war of thought created by different influences in the region," said the President. President Asif Ali Zardari said the country has borne serious losses including that of Benazir Bhutto, Shahbaz Bhatti, Bashir Ahmed Bilour besides hundreds of others in its war against extremists. "Yet we have not given up and would continue with our endeavour to make our country peaceful, tolerant and modern in its actual sense," said the President.
"We would not surrender before the extremists," reiterated the President. The Pakistan Peoples Party and its coalition partners' absolute belief in democratic principles would salvage our nation, our country, our forces and take on the extremist elements fighting against the country under varied garbs, he said. President Asif Ali Zardari said Muslims also have belief in Jesus Christ as a messenger of God like hundreds of other prophets sent by Him in various periods of time.
We can find this as mentioned in the Holy Quran and hence Muslims too believe in Jesus as messiah and messenger of love, said President Asif Ali Zardari. Earlier, Adviser to Prime Minister for Minority Affairs, Dr Paul Jacob Bhatti appreciated PPP government for raising the representation of minority communities in the parliament. "It is also for the first time that we have our representation in the Senate too," he said.