ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari, while issuing a special message on the occasion of International Human Rights Day, has said that protecting the self-respect, equality and justice of every citizen should be the top priority of the state.
In his message, the President stressed that Islam teaches respect for humanity and equality, while the Constitution of Pakistan also guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms to every individual without discrimination.
Asif Ali Zardari said that Quaid-e-Azam had envisioned Pakistan as a state where harmony, tolerance and human dignity should be the foundation. He said that the government is committed to the promotion of human rights, and more concrete steps are being taken in this regard.
The President said that protecting the rights of the weak and marginalised communities is the need of the hour. Empowering women, children, minorities and special persons is the responsibility of the state, while real change can be possible only with the involvement of civil society, institutions and other partners.
Finally, he paid tribute to the United Nations for celebrating International Human Rights Day and said that Pakistan must be made a country where every individual can live a life free from fear, oppression, and discrimination.
