URING his appearance at the United States Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C., Prime Minister Imran Khan said his government would be remembered for being `the most inclusive government in Pakistan` when it came to ensuring protection for minorities. Momentarily, he brought up the `one element, where we still have a problem`, before quickly moving on to speak about his government`s role in ensuring the safety and freedom of Aasia Bibi. He reiterated his stance again on National Minority Day in Islamabad this time for a local audience, referencing religion to condemn the practice of forced conversions.

How history will judge this government remains to be seen, but for now it has indeed taken some positive steps in this regard.

For instance, images of 500 Indian Sikhs crossing the border to make their way to Nankana Sahib on the birth anniversary of the founder of Sikhism certainly helps boost the country`s reputation and promotes tolerance for the beliefs of others, especially at a time when India is making headlines for the wrong reasons, ie the poor treatment of its minority citizens, particularly Muslims and Dalits. This is perhaps part of the government`s desire to promote religious tourism in the country. Last year, the prime minister laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Kartarpur Corridor, which would connect the second holiest site in Sikhism with the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur, India. Recently, there has also been an announcement of reopening a 1,000-year-old Hindu temple in Sialkot, sealed since 1947. According to one report, the decision came from the realisation that the Hindu families of Sialkot had no communal place to gather and worship.

Most places of worship of non-Muslim minorities are pre-Partition structures, and many are under constant vigilance due to threats of vandalism and extremist attacks. Then there is the issue of land grabbing, which also uses religion as a cover for material greed. So while on one hand, correct steps are being taken to ensure protection for some minority groups, the climate of fear persists for many others. Minorities are targeted disproportionately in false blasphemy charges and continue to be subjected to forced conversions. Again and again, the prime minister has reiterated his belief that all citizens of the state must be treated equally. One can only hope he is sincere in ensuring that they are, including that `one element` he mentioned. Only then, can we truly celebrate a progressive Pakistan.