ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top diplomat in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said on Saturday his country’s constitution emphasized religious freedom and protection of all communities while addressing a ceremony at the embassy in Abu Dhabi.
Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi noted his country’s outlook in this regard was inspired by the vision of its founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who told the constituent assembly in August 1947 that Pakistani citizens would be free to go to their places of worship.
“The government’s policies are geared toward empowering minority communities to play their role in national life as equal citizens,” he was quoted as saying by the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency.
Tirmizi added the government was working to foster interfaith harmony among its people.
The event arranged by the embassy brought together a number of Pakistani Christian community members in the Arab country.
Special prayers were also held at the occasion, as some of the speakers pointed out that December 25 had special significance for Pakistan since it also marked Jinnah’s birth anniversary.
The Pakistani ambassador recalled the contribution of Justice AR Cornelius, Col. SK Tressler, FE Chaudhry and other successful members of Pakistan’s non-Muslim community while praising their contributions to the country’s progress and development.
