ISLAMABAD: The Government promulgated a Declaration on minorities today [June 14], pledging itself to objectives that include protection of rights and interests of the minorities and their integration in the general stream of national life. The document, described as historic by Prime Mi­­nister Bhutto … embodies his Government’s policy and philosophy on the subject. …

The Declaration … set out these … points: Minorities are integral part of Pakistani people. Safeguard of their rights is Government’s duty. … Minorities are a sacred trust with Pakistani people and their rights and interests to be fully protected in accordance with law. Their integration and acceptance in the general stream of national life, their religious and cultural identities remaining unaffected. Pakistani Muslims to follow Holy Prophet Mohammad [PBUH] in showing tolerance and magnanimity. Special measures to help under-privileged sections … irrespective of creed, caste and colour. The main challenge is to fight poverty … and raise living standard of all Pakistanis. Nation’s problems to be looked at in their entirety as those of a people with … collective interests.

Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2026