Pakistan on item V 9th session of the Forum on Minority Issues - ohchr 24/25 November 2016 Unites Nations - Geneva Thank you Mr Chairperson. We take note of the recommendations of the 9th minority forum. In Pakistan, we are proud of our minorities. They enrich the diversity of the country. The constitution of Pakistan guarantees equal right to all citizens. It has several articles that provide safeguards against any forms of discrimination. In the last decade the government introduced special measures to safeguard rights of persons belonging to minorities. National Disaster Management Authority responsible for formulation of policies and training concerning disasters has integrated the rights of minorities in all its programs and activities. Gender and child […] has developed national policy guidelines on vulnerable groups including minorities in disasters extensive consultations. The government of Pakistan has also announced special compensation package after every disaster. In addition to various measures, the government has time to establish an inclusive society and enrich people of various faiths can live in harmony. These include reservation of number of seats, around 10 for religious minorities in the National Assembly, 4 in the Senate and 23 in the Provincial Assemblies. Establishment of the National Commission for Minorities, official celebration of 10 religious festivals of minorities, reservation of 5 per cent quota in federal services, the grant of scholarships for students of minority communities, and setting up of inter-faith harmony communities. Also August 11 has been designated as the National Day for Minorities. On 11 November 2015 while participating in the festival of Diwali the Prime Minister of Pakistan said that: Every community living here that of Hindu, Muslim or [Farsi] everyone belongs to me and I belong to them. I am Prime Minister of all communities. If you are in distress I will stand by you. I will stand with the victim. The national Action Plan for Human Rights was adopted in February 2006 with special focus on rights of minorities which include steps such as establishment of special contingent of the police, to safeguard places of worship of minorities, program for social economic uplift of minorities, and introduction of specific laws to protect minorities and measures to prevent […] laws, and formulation of national inter-faith harmony policy. Moreover hate-speech and incitement of hatred, which reaches violence has been criminalised. I thank you.