Federal Minister for Minorities, Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti, attends 58th National Prayer Breakfast in Washington DC

On an invitation by the U.S. Senate, the Federal Minister for Minorities, Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti, attended the 58th National Prayer Breakfast, which was graced by President Barrack Obama, at Washington DC. During the breakfast, the Minister used the opportunity to meet with the influential people belonging to a wide range of social, political and economic life, including U.S. Congressmen, entrepreneurs, social activists, journalists and leading representatives of various countries.

In his discussions with the dignitaries, the Minister maintained that the democratically-elected government of Pakistan is fully engaged in empowering the minorities and integrating them into the social fabric. He emphasized that the issue of minorities cannot be de-linked from the deeper and wider issues of poverty, lack of economic and social development, and resource-based conflicts. The Minister underlined that in the Pakistani Constitution all minorities are equal before law and are free to practice their faith. In South Asia, Pakistan has a remarkable record in protecting and promoting entitlements of its minorities, he stressed. During his interaction with the U.S. and world leaders, the Minister emphasized the importance of interfaith harmony for broader rapprochement.

The Minister also attended a dinner hosted by former Congressman Jim Slattery and International Luncheon hosted to honor members of the Diplomatic Corps in the U.S. in which he maintained that contrary to the image given by the Western media about the maltreatment of minorities in Pakistan, in fact, the minorities in Pakistan enjoy various privileges and rights. He maintained that the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, had a tolerant, liberal and democratic vision for Pakistan; the Pakistani nation believes in that vision and strives to pursue those noble ideals.

Washington DC February 4, 2010

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