Worship places to undergo security audit

LAHORE:

The Punjab government has planned a comprehensive security audit for all 3,960 registered minority worship places across the province.

The decision was made during a meeting chaired by Minorities Affairs Minister Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora.

Home Secretary Noorul Amin Mengal gave a briefing during the meeting attended by representatives from law enforcement agencies and minority community leaders.

He said a cell had been established in the department to coordinate with security agencies and ensure robust protection for the worship places of minority communities.

The cell will facilitate regular audits every two weeks across Punjab, with dedicated teams of police and administrative officials overseeing security arrangements in collaboration with community representatives.

Sardar Ramesh Singh underscored the government's commitment to equal rights for all citizens, stressing that comprehensive security measures, including boundary walls, surveillance cameras, barbed wire and personnel, should be in place at all minorities' worship places.

He also highlighted the need for registration of all such sites to strengthen oversight and enhance safety.