75k families to get Minority Cards

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has increased be number of Minority Cards to the issued in the province to 75,000 from 50,000.

Launching Pakistan's first Chief Minister Minority Card in a ceremony attended by women and men from the Hindu, Sikh, Christian and other communities, she said, "It is our responsibility to protect the minority communities and improve their lives. I am fulfilling my duty to grant protection to the minorities with full responsibility."

She added, "We will hinder the path of those who endanger the lives and property of the minority communities with an iron hand. Minorities also have an equal role in the development of Pakistan. Whenever any dangerous situation emerges for the minorities, I myself monitor and oversee it as minorities are a symbol of pride for us." She distributed the cards and observed the transaction process via ATM of a beneficiary.

Provincial Minority Affairs Minister Ramesh Singh Arora expressed gratitude to the CM in Punjabi language.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said, "The Punjab government has launched the Minority Card for the well-being of our sisters, brothers, elders and children so that they should realise that they are also Pakistanis and Punjabis. I am not making a political statement but everyone should realise that the minorities are also as much a part of our beloved homeland as other Pakistanis. The name 'minority' has been given in Pakistan to which I disagree."

She said the real identity of the communities was that of being true and a staunch Pakistanis.

She added, "I am pleased to see that the rightful owners are happy to receive their right as all religions are united in a strong bond."

She said messages of felicitation had been received from all over the world on the appointment of the first Sikh minister in the Punjab cabinet. She added, "My father Muhammad Nawaz Sharif always forbade me from using the word minority for the communities. They may be fewer in number, but are no less than anyone with regard to patriotism and humanity. I deem it imperative to participate in every festivity of the Sikh, Hindu and Christian communities."

The chief minister said all commissioners and DCs had been directed to decorate the minorities' places of worship and neighbourhoods for every religious festival, including Holi and Easter.

She said the PML-N government had increased the budget of the minority affairs department.

She said 50,000 families in Punjab would receive Rs10,500 after every three months and the amount would be increased in the coming years, while number of beneficiary households would be hiked to 75,000.

She added that Rs10,500 was a meagre amount but a token gift on behalf of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and the Punjab government. She said the grant issued on the eve of minority festivals had been increased from Rs10,000 to Rs15,000.

"Neighbourhoods and religious places of the minority communities are also being developed. A cemetery for the Christian community will be ready in a few months. The annual development budget for the minority communities has been increased by 60 per cent," she added.

Bishop Nadeem Kamran, Sardar Saranjit Singh and Pandit Lal prayed on the occasion.

Meanwhile, addressing a delegation of Pakistan Air War Course, the chief minister said, "The importance of air force can be gauged from the recent wars in Ukraine, Iran, Israel and other places."

She said, "Chinese investors are ready to invest in Pakistan."

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said, "Political instability has caused a lot of damage to Pakistan."

She said people from all over Pakistan were coming to Punjab for better business opportunities. She said free market economy was a priority but price increases for the poor would not be allowed.

She added," There are 90% small farmers in Pakistan, we need to hold their hands."

She added, "Economy develops quickly by setting up small industries. We will provide tax-free zones and tax holidays to spur investment. We will provide land for free along with interest-free loans, if necessary."

The CM said, "I want to run a bullet train from Lahore to Islamabad, and a glass train from Islamabad to Murree will be started soon." She highlighted, "Women and children are my red lines. it is painful that they are not 100% safe."

She also said that Saudi Arabia had offered to buy livestock from Punjab. She added, "We want to promote Sikh tourism in Kartarpur and build a five-star hotel there."

The chief minister said she had given a target of collecting Rs1 trillion to Punjab Revenue Authority. "We will increase revenue by reviewing the contracts of minerals and natural resources."