ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s prime minister and president on Sunday vowed to protect the religious and economic rights of minorities as the country’s Christian community celebrates the Easter festival today.
Easter is celebrated by Christians in Pakistan and worldwide to mark the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is one of the most important festivals in the Christian faith.
Christians have faced institutionalized discrimination in Pakistan, with rights groups pointing out instances of them being targeted for blasphemy accusations and suffering lynchings. Christians have also frequently complained about being restricted to jobs considered by the masses to have low status, such as sewage work or brick kiln labor.
In a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Sharif credited members of the Christian community in Pakistan for playing a valuable role in the country’s economic and social development.
“Ensuring the protection of the religious, economic and educational rights of all citizens, especially minorities, remains a key priority of the government,” the Pakistani prime minister said.
He said the commitment to ensure equal opportunities for all and to protect citizens’ rights is rooted in Islamic teachings, the vision of Pakistan’s founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah and is guaranteed by the country’s constitution.
Separately, President Asif Ali Zardari also congratulated the Christian community on the occasion of Easter.
“The government remains committed to protecting the life, property, honor and security of minority communities, and to supporting their welfare,” he added.
Christianity is the third-largest religion in Pakistan, with results from the 2023 census recording over three million Christians, or 1.3 percent of the country’s total population.
