Pakistani PM Sharif sings praises of religious freedom during his U.S. visit

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Nawaz Sharifs and his political party, Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) have had multiple stints in the government during the last two decades, but hold abysmal record in protecting minority rights in Pakistan.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: Ahmadiyya Times/Reporter-News
By Imran Jattala | October 25, 2013

WASHINGTON -- During his visit to the United States, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif  said 'religious freedom was a founding principle of Pakistan,' a predominantly Muslim country.

According to Reporter-News, in a speech at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington, PM Sharif specifically quoted from Matthew 5:9, Jesus' saying, “Blessed are the peacemakers.”

Pakistani leader also quoted from the Holy Quran, explaining the teaching that God created nations and tribes to coexist in righteousness.

Reporter-News noted the last month's Christian massacre in the city of Peshawar, Pakistan, where Muslim suicide bombers killed 85 people outside a Christan church.

"Pakistan’s blasphemy laws have been used to persecute Christians and other religious minorities," Reporter News noted.

But, according to Reporter-News, PM Sharif said, “We want to create a society based on social justice and wellbeing of all our people without any discrimination.”

The statement is not readily accepted by many minority groups in lights of Sharif family's patronage of several banned and other questionable Islamist groups in Pakistan.

Nawaz Sharifs and his political party, Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) have had multiple stints in the government during the last two decades, but hold abysmal record in protecting minority rights in Pakistan, many have complained.

PM Sharif met with President Barack Obama Wednesday afternoon at the White House.


 --  Pakistani PM Sharif sings praises of religious freedom during U.S. visit
 --  Ahmadiyya Times
 --  By Imran Jattala. Follow on Twitter: @Ijattala

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