'This proves that Pakistanis can act as one nation without any distinction of religion, caste, culture, creed or language as envisioned by our great leader Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah,' Gilani noted.

This apart, the declaration of Aug 11 as Minorities Day was clear proof of the government's commitment to ensure equal rights for all communities in Pakistan, he added.

'It is a moral and social obligation of our society to strengthen the bond of love and to promote the culture of tolerance in the country. Indeed this is the very need of the time as right now the main fabric of our society is threatened due to virulent intolerance and lengthening shadows of terrorism,' the prime minister maintained.

He also called for 'conscious efforts' for the socio-economic uplift of the under privileged and marginalized section of society so as to integrate them and bring them in the mainstream.

'This day provides us a chance to reassure that despite belonging to different faiths, we are one nation and we are to struggle together for a prosperous Pakistan by developing interfaith harmony,' Gilani said.

'I wish the minorities of Pakistan all the best in their future endeavours', he added.