ISLAMABAD: The purpose behind observance of National Minority Day on August 11 every year is to imbibe the true meaning of the Quaid’s speech on this day in 1947 before the Constituent Assembly in which he, among other things, also laid down the state policy towards non-Muslims living in Pakistan. “In that historic speech the Quaid had said ‘you may belong to any religion or caste or creed that has nothing to do with business of the state’. If we want a stable and prosperous Pakistan we must revert to this foundational principle enunciated by the Quaid.” This was stated by former president Asif Ali Zardari in his message on the national Minority Day on Friday. Ever since the state turned a blind eye to the privatization of jehad during dictatorship the nation has been drifting away from the path envisioned by the Quaid, he said. We must dismantle the project “private jehad” and drive out from our midst the militants, extremists and religious fanatics, he said. I am deeply concerned that critical elements of the National Action Plan (NAP) are not being implemented and no action is taken against sectarian fanatics and banned militant organizations resurrecting under other names, he said. On this occasion I call for the implementation of Qazi Faiz Isa report to fight the menace of sectarianism, militancy and extremism. We must restore internal peace and security and thus the confidence of the people in general and non-Muslim citizens in particular. Let us also on this day also pay tribute to those courageous individuals who have suffered for the cause of interfaith harmony and for upholding the right of the non-Muslims freely to profess and practice their religion. They are the heroes and heroines of the nation, he said. Published in Daily Times, August 12th 2017.