PESHAWAR, Dec 23: The NWFP minister for Auqaf, social welfare and minority affairs, Qari Roohullah Madani, has said that the government is implementing various development schemes for the progress and welfare of minorities in the province.

He was speaking at a function, held at the Nishtar Hall on Saturday to distribute warm clothes among widows and disabled people from different minorities.

Besides a food support programme, the minister said, a special quota was being allocated for the welfare of the minorities. He regretted that vested interests were creating hatred among the people on the basis of religion, caste and creed.

He assured the minorities that their rights would be protected at all costs and efforts would be made for their progress and prosperity.

He said Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah had sanctioned funds to provide gifts of warm clothes to the poor minority people.

The minister assured elected minority councillors that they would be consulted in selection of the needy for gifts and grants.

Others who spoke at the function included Romal Shah, Bishop of Peshawar; Minority Affairs Secretary Mohammad Zaman Sadozai and minority councillors Dr Sahib Singh, Darvesh Chand and Gulshan Yousaf.

They expressed satisfaction over what they called the exemplary cohesion among the Muslims and the minorities and termed it a good omen for the progress and development of the country.

The minister gave away 200 suits of warm cloth to Christian, Hindu and Sikh widows and disabled people from Peshawar, Nowshera and Kohat districts.