ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to foster a peaceful, inclusive and tolerant society, emphasizing equal rights, dignity and mutual respect for all citizens irrespective of race, ethnicity or religion.
In his message marking the International Day of Living Together in Peace, the prime minister said Pakistan stood alongside the global community in promoting harmony and unity at both national and international levels. He described the promotion of peace as not only part of the country’s founding vision but also a constitutional obligation.
Recalling the words of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the prime minister said the principles of honesty, fairness and peaceful coexistence continue to shape Pakistan’s national identity and guide its engagement with the world.
He noted that the Constitution provides protection against discrimination of any kind, including ethnic, provincial and sectarian bias, and said the country’s cultural and linguistic diversity remains a source of strength rather than division.
Highlighting ongoing initiatives, the prime minister said programmes such as Paigham-e-Pakistan were aimed at countering extremism and strengthening social cohesion. He added that the government had introduced comprehensive human rights policies to empower women, protect children and support marginalized communities.
He said implementation of the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights was in progress to promote responsible corporate conduct and safeguard labour rights. Institutional support for human rights had also been reinforced through the operationalization of the National Commission for Human Rights and the formation of district-level human rights committees.
The prime minister referred to recent legislation designed to address harmful social practices and violence, including new laws on domestic violence prevention, child marriage restraint and minority rights protection in the federal capital.
Concluding his message, Prime Minister Shehbaz urged young people, religious scholars and civil society representatives to actively promote compassion and coexistence, calling for collective efforts to build a society — and a world — grounded in harmony and shared prosperity rather than division.
