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Islamabad: The Senate today unanimously passed a resolution, reaffirming its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the constitutional, legal, and human rights of all minorities, ensuring their dignity, security, and equal status as citizens of the state.
According to Radio Pakistan, the resolution was moved by Senator Danesh Kumar and acknowledged the invaluable contributions of minorities in the development, progress, and unity of the nation on the National Day for Minorities. The resolution urged the Government to ensure the effective implementation of constitutional provisions and legal protections for minorities.
The House called upon the Government to initiate public awareness campaigns and interfaith harmony programs that promote tolerance and inclusivity in society. It demanded the inclusion of teachings from Quaid-e-Azam’s 11th August speech and minority rights in educational curricula to instill values of equality and pluralism. In his speech, the Founder of Pakistan had unequivocally declared that all citizens, regardless of religion, caste, or creed, shall enjoy equal rights, freedoms, and protections under the law, forming a cornerstone of the policy towards minorities.
The Senate expressed its firm resolve to uphold the principles of justice, equality, and inclusivity as envisioned by Quaid-e-Azam and guaranteed by the Constitution, ensuring that Pakistan remains a beacon of unity in diversity.
The resolution also called for the inclusion of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s address to the First Constituent Assembly on 11 August 1947 in the national educational curriculum to promote equality and social cohesion. It highlighted the significant role minorities have played in the development and prosperity of Pakistan, emphasizing that their contributions to national progress should be formally recognized.
The House urged the government to launch awareness campaigns aimed at fostering interfaith harmony and inclusivity across the country. Additionally, the Chairman announced the panel of chair, comprising Senator Danesh Kumar, Senator Khalil Tahir, and Senator Gurdeep Singh, as Presiding Officers for the current session of the House.
The Senate also observed one-minute silence on the demise of the mother of Senator Gurdeep Singh. At the outset, newly elected Senators from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Muhammad Azam Swati and Mashal Azam Youasafzai, took oath as members of the Upper House today.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb stated that twenty-four State-Owned Enterprises have been handed over to the Privatization Commission for privatization. Responding to a point of order in the Senate, he mentioned that eight of these 24 SOEs will undergo the privatization process during the current fiscal year. The Minister added that the government is also working on governance to overcome losses of the State-Owned Enterprises and evaluating a private-public partnership option.
Muhammad Aurangzeb remarked that the private sector has to lead the country, suggesting that not only loss-making entities but also profitable institutions can be handed over to the private sector. The House will convene again on Friday at 10:30 in the morning.