ISLAMABAD, Sept 30: A delegation of Christian theologians called on Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz at the Prime Minister’s House on Saturday and discussed the minority affairs in Pakistan.

Prime Minister Aziz said that the lack of inter-faith and inter-cultural understanding was a major global challenge and urged people belonging to different faiths to work harder for the promotion of inter-faith harmony.

The delegation comprised Bishop Azad Marshal, Dr Andrew, president of SALT Foundation from the Netherlands, Rev Stephen Roger from United Kingdom, Rev Paul Tew from the United Kingdom and Mr Al Jansen from the United States.

The prime minister said that minorities in Pakistan were free to practice their faith and the government was taking all necessary steps to ensure that people belonging to different faiths continue to live in peace and harmony and freely practice their religious beliefs.

Emphasising the need for inter-faith dialogue to promote better understanding among the people of various faiths, the premier said: “Islam teaches peace, tolerance, brotherhood and respect for all religions.”

He said that it is for the first time in the country’s history that minorities had been given them dual right to vote, which allowed them to vote for general seats as well as for the seats reserved for them.

He said the establishment of the Minorities Affairs Division and appointment a minority MNA as its minister of state, increase in representation of 10 minority members in parliament were some of the steps taken by the government to increase the participation of minorities in the decision-making process.

Additionlly, he said, the District Inter-faith Harmony Committees at the district level have been set up in Punjab and most parts of Balochistan while the process was under way in Sindh and the NWFP.

The prime minister also mentioned contributions made by the minority community in Pakistan, particularly in fields of health, education and humanitarian services. He appreciated the fact that many members of the minority community were joining the armed forces and other government organisations.

Earlier, Minister of State for Minorities Affairs Prof Mushtaq Victor briefed the meeting about initiatives taken by his Ministry to promote inter-faith harmony in the country.

Bishop Azad Marshal, President of Ibadat Trust, presented a report to the Prime Minister about the relief activities carried out by the organization during for last year’s earthquake.