Nawabzada Malik Amad Khan, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, in his statement in the NAM Ministerial Meeting (SNAMMM) on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development in Manila on 17 March 2010, said that Pakistan and the Philippines have been partners for promoting dialogue and cooperation among followers of different religions. Pakistan and the Philippines together have been sponsoring a landmark resolution on promotion of interfaith and intercultural dialogue in the UN General Assembly.

He stressed that Pakistan on its part remained committed to promote inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue and harmony. Recalling that the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees equal rights and status to all its citizens, irrespective of race, religion, caste, creed or colour, he mentioned that minorities enjoy full freedom to profess their religion, visit their places of worship and actively participate in political, economic and cultural activities as equal citizens. Minorities constitute around 3.72% of population in Pakistan. However, the Government has reserved 5% employment quota for minorities in Federal Services to ensure their effective participation in the policy implementation process. We follow a joint electorate system in Pakistan, which provides equal opportunities to all Pakistanis including minorities to contest elections for parliament. In addition, we have reserved 10 parliamentary seats for minorities in the National Assembly.

Earlier in her keynote address in SNAMMM, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said the Philippines is a living witness to the importance of intercultural and interfaith tolerance, understanding, respect and dialogue for peace and development. Recalling joint efforts by Pakistan and the Philippines on promotion of interfaith and intercultural dialogue in the UN General Assembly, President Arroyo added that the Philippines considers intercultural and interfaith dialogue policy framework as an enduring basis for coming together of the country's different cultures and faiths, within a shared environment of peace, security and development based on mutual understanding, trust and respect.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs also held bilateral meetings with the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines, Foreign Minister of Indonesia, Adviser to the Government of Kingdom of Cambodia and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the sidelines of the SNAMMM.

 

Islamabad

17 March 2010