LAHORE, March 25: The Christians have not only played a pivotal role in the creation of Pakistan but have also contributed tremendously in the field of education and health after independence.

Speakers said this at a seminar titled “Role of minorities in the development of Pakistan” held by the Christian chapter of the World Council of Religions on Waris Road here on Friday.

“Pakistan was created not only for the Muslims but also for the people belonging to other religions living in this region.

The Quaid-i-Azam never intended to make religion as the base of the nation as he always said that first we all were Pakistanis and then we were anything else,” Human Rights Commission of Pakistan`s director and rights activist I.A Rehman said while speaking on the occasion.

He said unfortunately the situation was entirely contrary as the Quaid had envisioned Pakistan a welfare state for all people including, Muslims, Christians and Hindus.

“It is our collective responsibility to expedite our efforts to make the country according to the vision of our founder,” he added.

Mr Rehman praised the Christians for extending unprecedented services in different sectors of the country.

Church of Pakistan`s presiding Bishop Mt Samuel Azariah condemned the act of burning of the Holy Quran by a so-called priest in the US.

“Such an act is a conspiracy to create a misunderstanding between the Muslims and Christians. People who do such act have no understanding of the true message of Christianity which is based on love and tolerance,” he said.

He demanded that the US government should take an immediate action against this barbarous act and the Christians of Pakistan stood shoulder-to-shoulder with their Muslim brethren on this issue.

Senator S.M Zafar said the Christian community should continue playing its positive role in repairing the torn fabric of the Pakistani society.

“It is high time that both communities should join hands to face the challenges of today,” he said, adding that the Constitution and the law of the land gave minorities equal rights which should be enforced in letter and spirit.

He said the government should protect minorities and expose the killers of Shahbaz Bhatti.

Abid Hasan Minto said the Muslims and the people belonging to other religions should make collective efforts towards resolving their problems.

“We will have to keep the state and the religion separately to resolve our problems and make the society progressive”, he said.

Khalid Ahmed said extremists were trying to create a situation where they could take a complete control of the state and run its affairs as per their own rules and philosophy.