PESHAWAR: Representatives of various minority groups have criticised the government for not celebrating the National Minorities Day on Aug 11 and described it an injustice with them. They said that the indifferent attitude of caretaker government proved that it was least bothered to pay heed to problems being faced by minorities.

Former PML-N MPA Azeem Ghauri told this correspondent here on Sunday that not only the government, but the political parties also didn’t pay due attention to the issues of minorities. He said that during the past five years at least Rs100 million had been spent in the name of minorities, but Christian community was not given proper share in the funds.

All Pakistan Hindus Rights Movement chairman Haroon Sarab Diyal said that the successive governments usually celebrated the National Minorities Day at least in the provinces, but this time no such function was held on Aug 11. He said that the government was fulfilling formalities by holding events at the presidency or PM House where some known people were invited just for photo sessions.

He said that the minorities day should be celebrated on the federal, provincial and local levels with enthusiasm to portray a positive image of Pakistan. He suggested that the government should announce a national holiday on this occasion and arrange events to acknowledge their contribution in creation and development of the country.

Sikh community representative Dr Sahib Singh also complained that the provincial government did not celebrate the day, saying that the minority communities were unable to celebrate it on their own.

Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2018