Land for crematorium demanded

Minister shows displeasure over delay in holding minority festivals

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Minister for Information and Minority Affairs Barrister Feroz Jamal Shah Kaka Khel has ordered removing the obstacles in the establishment of Shamshan Ghat (crematorium) and minority graveyards in the province. He expressed annoyance over delay in holding religious festivals for minorities in the province and directed formation of a committee to arrange the programmes regularly.

Talking to various delegations of the minorities here at his office, Kaka Khel also directed that the committee should comprise representatives of the minority communities to take pragmatic steps. He announced that the minority communities could celebrate their annual festivals and rituals at the hall of Auqaf Building, said a press statement issued here Thursday.

Earlier, the delegations informed the minister about the problems being faced by the minorities and demanded Rs300 million allocation for different festivals and adventure programmes for minorities. They also discussed allocation of land for cremation ground (Shamshan Ghat) and graveyard for minorities, scholarships for students, and stipends for widows.

The minister assured the delegations that all their problems would be resolved on priority basis and in consultation with the representatives of the minorities. He directed the Auqaf department to resolve the issue of land acquisition for Shamshan Ghat and graveyard. The delegations comprised the representatives of Sikh, Hindu, Bahai, Kalash and Christian communities. The minister said that since last September the committee formed for the purpose didn’t meet which was a good example of the PTI government’s non-serious attitude towards the minority affairs in the province.

He said that because of this issue Rs300 million allocated for the minorities welfare could not be spent which is unfortunate.