LAHORE, Nov 25: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi on Friday said Christians were playing a commendable role in educational and social development in Pakistan and it was enjoying equal rights along with other minorities He was talking to a delegation headed by Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams. Bishop of Lahore Dr Alexander John Malik was also present on the occasion.

The chief minister said strict notice had been taken of the desecration of sacred places of Christians in Sangla and the elements involved in damaging schools and places of worship arrested.

He said President Musharraf had taken historic measures for safeguarding the rights of minorities as well as providing them equal opportunities of progress and development. Besides, effective representation had been given to them in the legislative institutions for the first time in the history of the country.

Mr Elahi said Christians were playing an important role in health and education sectors. As a result of education sector reforms programme, the rate of literacy had increased in the province and a large number of new students had been enrolled.

“The development of education sector goes a long way in curbing extremism as well as poverty and unemployment,” he added.

He said the recent earthquake caused large scale damage in the NWFP and Azad Kashmir and armed forces were playing a major role in providing relief to the survivors in inaccessible areas.

Relief assistance worth about Rs2 billion had so far been sent from Punjab for the rehabilitation of the calamity-hit people. The Support A Family programme had been introduced which was being highly appreciated at every level.

The chief minister said under this programme, every donor would provide financial assistance of Rs6,000 per month to an adopted family.

Dr Williams said the death and devastation due to the quake was a big tragedy and the international community was rendering all out assistance for the rehabilitation of the calamity-hit people.

He said Punjab had made remarkable progress in education, health, agriculture and other sectors.

Dr Malik said the chief minister was taking solid measures for safeguarding rights of the Christian community.