Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addresses the nation on Sunday in Islamabad. Photo: Screenshot
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday extended Diwali greetings to the Hindu community and other religious minorities, calling the festival a “beautiful message of joy, peace and tolerance” and reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting minority rights.
Addressing a special ceremony at the Prime Minister’s House, which included senior religious and diplomatic figures, members of minority communities and parliamentary representatives, the prime minister said the presence of Hindu, Christian and other minority leaders at the event reflected “the living reality of Pakistan’s pluralism.”
He reiterated that every citizen regardless of faith has the constitutional right to practice religious rituals without fear.
Referring to recent government steps, Shehbaz highlighted progress in institutional and policy measures aimed at strengthening minority protection.
Noting parliamentary approval and ongoing work to give the proposed National Minorities Commission a firmer legal basis, he said the government had rolled out targeted support programs from scholarships for minority students at primary to tertiary levels to representation of minorities in federal and provincial assemblies.
The prime minister lauded minority communities for their contribution in areas ranging from public service to defense and development, saying their patriotism and public spirit was a source of national pride.
He urged Muslims and non-Muslims to work “shoulder to shoulder” to resist hatred, intolerance and extremism and to preserve Pakistan as a country of tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Shehbaz also pointed to steps taken under youth and social welfare programs to increase inclusion, and said the state will continue to ensure equal opportunities for minorities in education, health and public employment.
He stressed that religious festivals enjoyed official recognition and that holidays and workplaces were provided to allow citizens to observe their faith.
Concluding his remarks, the Prime Minister once again wished the Hindu community a happy Diwali and urged political and religious leaders to deepen interfaith dialogue.
Prime Minister emphasizes energy reforms and growth in SMEs
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed the Power Division and relevant ministries to devise effective policy measures to boost domestic industrial production and ensure wider participation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the country’s industrial growth.
Chairing separate meetings on power sector reforms and development of SMEs, the prime minister emphasized that power generation should be strategically harnessed to increase productivity in the agricultural and industrial sectors. He emphasized that the optimal use of power resources could help to increase the production of goods and strengthen the national economy.
Emphasizing the government’s commitment to support both agriculture and industry, Shehbaz directed officials to develop policies that maximize the beneficial use of available energy resources. He said the government would take all necessary measures to facilitate investors and industrialists so that they can expand their activities and contribute to economic stability.
The Prime Minister was briefed on a proposed reform package that aims to ensure extensive and efficient utilization of the country’s electricity production. The meeting was attended by Power Minister Awais Leghari, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Finance Minister Ahad Cheema, Industries Advisor Haroon Akhtar and other senior officials.
In a separate session reviewing the restructuring of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), the Prime Minister called for encouraging the registration of cottagers and small businesses so that they could access loans and participate in formal industrial networks.
He said industrial growth in developed economies was driven by SMEs providing raw materials and support to large industries. He directed the authorities to train rural SMEs in agricultural raw material processing and appreciated the ministry’s progress on SME reforms.
Shehbaz noted that new SMEDA offices in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan were well received by the local business community. He called for early implementation of SMEDA’s road map to integrate SMEs into the formal economy and accelerate industrial expansion across the country.
Officials briefed the meeting on the establishment of a private sector-led SMEDA board, progress in SME financing and capacity building, and the development of an AI-powered Womenpreneurship Platform to assist women in business registration, taxation and skills training.
(WITH ACCESS FROM APP)
