LAHORE: PPP Central Punjab General Secretary Syed Hassan Murtaza says the nation owes an immense debt of gratitude to its minority communities.

Speaking at a National Minorities Day ceremony organised by the party here on Tuesday, he termed the PPP the only political party in the country that gave unprecedented political representation to the minorities – a level of inclusion its rival parties in Punjab could not even imagine.

Mr Murtaza highlighted key leadership positions held by the minority members within the PPP ranks, including Naveed Anthony serving as deputy speaker of the Sindh Assembly, alongside Senator Mahesh Kumar Malani and Senator Krishna Kumari in the Senate of Pakistan.

The PPP leader noted that National Minorities Day was officially recognised due to the dedicated efforts of President Asif Ali Zardari, adding that championing minority rights served as living proof of the PPP’s liberal and progressive ideology.

Paying tributes to the historical contributions of Christian and missionary organisations, Mr Murtaza underscored their pivotal role in national development, particularly in education and healthcare. He noted that generations of top politicians, scholars and intellectuals were educated in missionary schools, while iconic healthcare institutions like Lady Willingdon Hospital and Lady Reading Hospital remain indispensable pillars of public health.

He also criticised deep-seated social inequalities, stating that the regional class system was a toxic legacy left behind by past dictators who ruled through tyranny and force.

The event organised by Minority Wing’s Edwin Sahotra was attended by a broad delegation of religious and community leaders, including Pastor Moon, Pastor Azhar, Pastor Akram, Pastor Imtiaz, Pastor Captain Anees, Pastor Zafar, Father Jerome, Cheryl Shehzad Advocate, Zunaira Patrick Advocate, Asha Shafi, Faisal Ilyas, Rana Jawad and others.

Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2026