Minorities await government support to celebrate national day


When contacted, Chief Minister’s Coordinator on Minorities’ Affairs Ravi Kumar said National Minorities Day was never celebrated officially in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. PHOTO: FILE

When contacted, Chief Minister’s Coordinator on Minorities’ Affairs Ravi Kumar said National Minorities Day was never celebrated officially in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. PHOTO: FILE

PESHAWAR: In 2009, the Pakistan Peoples Party-led federal government declared Minorities Day will be celebrated on August 11 every year. As per the then government’s orders, National Minorities Day would be marked like any other national celebration. The event would draw attention to the contributions of minorities towards the country’s prosperity.

However, there is a huge chasm between promise and practice. The grim reality is that this national event is not celebrated at the government level. Every year, a statement is issued by the presidency and PM house that Pakistan has celebrated National Minorities Day with great gusto. However, these are little more than tall claims that have no basis in reality.

Over the last seven years, no event has been arranged in any district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa where minorities of the province can gather and celebrate their day.

Area of vulnerability

While speaking to The Express Tribune, All Pakistan Hindu Rights Movement Chairperson Haroon Sarbdiyal said, “It is really unfortunate that even after declaring August 11 as National Minorities Day, the government does not bother to celebrate it on national level.” He added, “During these seven years, we have never seen the government announce any festival or event in this regard.”

Sarbdiyal added Pakistan has guaranteed minority rights. “However, without the government’s support, we cannot celebrate our national day,” he said. “It is the responsibility of the state to provide us with places where we can arrange events for our community and [honour] the contribution of our forefathers in the creation of Pakistan.” He added, “We strongly urge the government to allow us to hoist the national flag at Jinnah Park in Peshawar on August 11.”

Sarbdiyal said the government should also announce a holiday to facilitate minorities.  Similarly, Monisha Arifa, another activist, told The Express Tribune, “Although we have not been given equal rights, we still love Pakistan and celebrate August 14 with the same passion as others do.”   She added, “Our elders sacrificed [their] lives for our country and it is our right that our efforts should be acknowledged by the government as well as society.”

Making it official

When contacted, Chief Minister’s Coordinator on Minorities’ Affairs Ravi Kumar said National Minorities Day was never celebrated officially in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

“We are trying to engage our community and the government to celebrate this day at least in Peshawar,” he added.


Original news : http://tribune.com.pk/story/1153115/minorities-await-government-support-celebrate-national-day/