LAHORE: PML-Q leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has asked Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to give importance to the minorities.

`During the PML-Q tenure (2002-07), functions were held at the chief minister office to celebrate Christmas and other occasions of the minorities. But in the tenure of N-League, the minorities are given no such importance,` he said at a ceremony to cut Christmas cake at the Muslim League House on Thursday.

`We always give preference to the rights of the minorities. Our government granted right of double vote and created the ministry for minorities.

Funds for renovadon andrepairs of churches were also allocated besides educational institutions were given back to the Christian bodies. We also gave proprietary rights to the residents of Youhanabad,` Mr Elahi said.

He said Pakistan was facing international isolation because of failed policies of the government.

`The government is increasing burden of loan.

During the last eight years, Shahbaz Sharif has nothing to his credit but six flop schemes while our government`s Rescue 1122 Service is visibly everywhere. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is also replicating this service,` he said.

Chaudhry Zaheeruddin, Bishop Yaqoob Paul, Bishop Sadiq, Ajmal Wazir, Engineer Shehzad Elahi, Mian Munir and Omar Sheikh were also present.