March 9, 2003	Sunday	Muharram 5, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, March 8: President General Pervez Musharraf on Saturday emphasized that being an Islamic state it was our religious and national obligation to look after the welfare of minorities and added that the minorities were playing their due role for the betterment of the country.

“The minorities in Pakistan enjoyed equal rights as enshrined in the Holy Quran, the Constitution and as envisioned by the Father of the Nation, Quaid-i-Azam,” he stated.

The president made these remarks during a meeting with a delegation of the World Council of Churches, Geneva, led by its General Secretary Dr. Konrad Raiser.

President Musharraf emphasized that terrorism should not be associated with any religion, as it was an undeniable fact that all religions abhorred violence.

The president paid rich tributes to the contribution of the Christian community in all fields of the social sectors,particularly health and education.

The delegation included, the Rt. Rev. Samuel Robert Azariah, Bishop of Raiwind Diocese; Bishop Dr Alexander John Malik, Bishop of Lahore Diocese; Clement John, Executive Secretary International Affairs, World Council of Churches Geneva; Bishop Samuel Pervaiz, President, National Council of Churches in Pakistan, Bishop of Sialkot Diocese; and Victor Azariah, General Secretary, National Council of Churches in Pakistan. —APP