ICC Note:
Anthony Naveed, a Christian, was recently appointed to a cabinet position within the Chief Minister’s staff in Pakistan’s Sindh Province. This appointment comes as a surprise as Christians in Pakistan often face discrimination and persecution because of their religious identity. The government of Sindh explained that the appointment of Naveed is an attempt to help promote interfaith harmony. Will this appointment be a key step in promoting the rights of Christians and other religious minorities in Pakistan?
8/31/2016 Pakistan (Radio Vatican) – Anthony Naveed, a Catholic cabinet member in the Sindh province of Pakistan has been promoted to serve as the Chief Minister’s special assistant with particular responsibilities in the interfaith harmony office.
He is the first Christian member in Sindh reach this post and the only Catholic in Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah’s Cabinet.
Naveed, who belongs to the Pakistan People’s Party, said he looks forward to promoting interfaith harmony in a country that is currently suffering from extremism.
“Since 2012 in Sindh Province our government has been working hard to move forward to promote interfaith harmony and develop a tolerant society for people from different religions, faiths and sects,” said Neveed.
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