The Convention marks the 72nd anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam, Muhammad Ali Jinnah's famous speech delivered before Assembly of Pakistan that guaranteed the fundamental rights of religious minority citizens & communities in Pakistan. The Convention opened with musical programme to highlight the diversity in religious music of Pakistan with individual musicians performing hymns, Qawalis, and Bhajans.
A theatrical performance by Ajoka Theatre titled "Bullah" was also featured depicting the life experiences & lessons of Sufi saint Bulleh Shah (1680-1757) with the aim of fostering a culture of inter-faith and inter-communal harmony and respect for human dignity irrespective of race, religion or ethnicity. The Convention was attended by parliamentarians, civil society activists, human rights workers and minority community representatives.
The Convention provided an opportunity for local residents to show their support and solidarity with local rights-based movements. Representatives of political parties across the spectrum participated to advance and further the agenda for minority rights. Prominent names included Ijaz Alam Augustine, the provincial Minister for Human Rights & Religious Affairs, Tariq Gill (former MPA), Naveed Amir Jeeva (MNA) Former Justice Nasira Iqbal, Saroop Ijaz (Advocate High Court) and Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad (Grand Imam of Badshaahi Mosque).
Ijaz Alam Augustine addressed participants non the occasion, "The Government is fully committed to protecting rights of minorities - a number of legislative developments & policy measures have been taken to accommodate the interests of minorities." Speaking on the occasion, Peter Jacob (Chairperson, PCMR) said that, "The government should make it a policy priority to strengthen institutional protection of minority rights by undertaking a series of legal, policy and administrative measures to accommodate, and cater to the demands, needs & challenges of minority citizens & communities in Pakistan".
Prominent journalist and Chairperson, PCMR, Wajahat Masood stated: "It is important that relevant stakeholders build consensus on the way forward to deal with pressing issues effecting religious minorities, including, rise in forced conversions, hate material in educational curricula, and lack of implementation of the landmark Jillani Judgment on minority rights protection".