Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif emphasized her government’s strong commitment to fostering religious tolerance and mutual respect at all levels. She expressed solidarity with all those persecuted due to religious discrimination. These statements were made on the International Day Commemorating Victims of Violence Based on Religion or Belief.
Nawaz stated that her sympathies lie with those who suffer injustice based on religious prejudice. She highlighted that Islamophobia is a bitter and harsh reality worldwide. She condemned attacks on mosques, restrictions on women wearing hijabs, and the association of Muslims with terrorism as a stain on humanity.
Maryam also spoke about Palestine, stating that the land is soaked in the blood of martyrs, and the cries of innocent children are suppressed by the sound of gunfire. She added that the valleys of Kashmir still ache with the pain of centuries-old wounds. She emphasized that both Kashmir and Gaza pose questions to the conscience of humanity, which the global community has yet to answer.
Nawaz asserted that her government would always stand by every victim facing religious persecution. She reiterated that Islam teaches love, peace, and tolerance. She affirmed that her government would stand with every victim and that promoting religious harmony and mutual respect is their firm resolve.
Maryam Nawaz, the daughter of former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, took the oath as the 20th Chief Minister of Punjab on February 26, 2024, becoming the first woman to hold the position in Pakistan.