Please Check against Delivery Statement by Pakistan during the Seventh Forum on Minority Issues (25-26 November 2014) Mr. Chairman, Minorities have not only enriched the cultural and religious diversity of Pakistani society but have also immensely contributed to the development of the country. People belonging to minorities are equal citizens of the country and enjoy equal rights and protection under the law. The Constitution of Pakistan guarantees equal rights and status to all citizens, irrespective of religion, race, caste, colour or creed. For the promotion and protection of rights of minorities, Pakistan has always pursued a policy of non-discrimination in line with the vision of its founding father, Quaid-E-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The Government has been taking administrative and policy measures to ensure that minorities enjoy equal rights for it strongly believes that without guaranteeing the rights of minorities, no society can foster culture of tolerance and mutual respect. Through various measures, the Government has always strived to establish an inclusive society in which people of various faiths can live in harmony, such as reservation of 10 seats for religious minorities in the National Assembly, 4 in the Senate and 23 in the Provincial Assemblies, establishment of National Commission for Minorities, official celebration of 10 religious festivals of minorities, celebration of xx August as the National Day for Minorities, reservation of 5 percent quota in federal services, grant of scholarships for students from minority community, setting up of Interfaith Harmony Committees, among others. As a country which is confronted with the menace of extremism and terrorism, people of Pakistan have faced formidable challenges in eradicating extremism and terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and have rendered invaluable sacrifices. No