6th session of the Forum on Minority Issues II. Legal framework and key concepts Permanent Mission of Pakistan Thank you, Madame person, my delegation would like to congratulate you on your appointment as a chairperson of the 6th session of the Forum on Minority Issues. Madame chairperson as a progressive and democratic state, Pakistan, attaches immense significance to safeguard the rights of its minorities. Freedom of religion and belief is a fundamental right protected in the constitution of Pakistan. Discrimination on the basis of religion, race, cast, colour, or creed is completely prohibited, all citizens are equal before law. And the articles 20, 21, 22, 26 and 27 of the Constitution, the right to profess, practice and propagate religion and establish, maintain and manage religious institutions are inalienable rights of all religious minorities in Pakistan. The government of Pakistan has also undertaken concrete steps for the empowerment of minorities in order to bring them into the national mainstream. (…) has been fixed for public service, (…) in the national assembly, (…) provincial assemblies have been specifically reserved for minorities. This is in addition to the right to contest general elections against all citizens to join the electorate system. Damage, destruction or defilement of religious praises have been made a criminal offence under the Pakistan Penal Code. There is no explicit or implicit organised intolerance towards religious minorities in Pakistan. An incidence of vandalism, intolerance towards religious minorities, individual (…) or destruction of places of worship invoke prompt governmental action. Madame chairperson, Pakistan today faces a great challenge from unscrupulous and cold-blooded terrorists who are indiscriminately targeting the innocent civilians, regardless of their religion or community. However, countries with political leadership, religious communities, civil society and people belonging to all (…) of life have condemned these murders and express their joint result to foster a culture of tolerance and peaceful coexistence in the country. Madame chairperson, the government of Pakistan is fully convinced that its religious, ethnic, and linguistic minorities are a precious asset adding to the diversity of the country. Their vast potential and their capabilities need to be fully utilised for the progress and prosperity of the entire nation. Therefore, (..) the citizens of Pakistan enjoy similar rights and obligations as any other citizen of the world. I thank you.