Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar has said that Pakistan attaches importance to the promotion and protection of the rights of minorities.

Talking to the US Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Rashad Hussain who called on her in New York, she said the parliament of Pakistan takes the protection of human rights of all citizens including minorities very seriously.

Hina Rabbani Khar said religious diversity is Pakistan’s strength and religious minorities are playing very important role in socio economic development of Pakistan.

She pointed out that growing intolerance, rising extremism and persecution of minorities in India and its continued repression against Kashmiris in illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir should be a matter of grave concern for international community particularly the US.

Rashad Hussain appreciated Pakistan’s continued engagement with the US on issues related to religious freedom.

Source: Radio Pakistan