Govt the sentinel of minority rights: CM

Maryam promises religious minorities protection, progress

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has said that Quaid-i-Azam's Pakistan is the homeland of all citizens who are safe and free in the country with their faith. In her message on National Minorities Day, she paid tribute to all minority communities who "always remain active for the development and prosperity of their beloved homeland".

She stated that the minorities were the pride of Pakistani society. "There will be no compromise on the honour, dignity, protection and progress of minorities. The Punjab government is strictly adhering to its policy of granting the minorities complete rights for their education, development and welfare," she added.

She vowed, "The Punjab government is the guardian of the rights of minorities and is fully committed to granting them their rightful share in every field of development and progress. We are moving towards a society where love, tolerance and brotherhood will be our hallmark and sole identity. Minorities are the beautiful colour of Pakistan and we will never let this colour fade."

The chief minister said, "For the first time in history, Punjab has achieved the distinction and honour of introducing a 'Minority Card' for welfare." She said 50,000 citizens were being paid Rs10,500 quarterly through the cards and their number would be increased to 75,000.

"Punjab attained the honour of passing the first Sikh Marriage Act 2024. Now 'Anand Karj' has been given legal status. The pending Hindu Marriage Act 2017 has been approved this year. The Punjab government is taking numerous steps to make it possible for the minority communities in the province to have easy access to education, health and employment," she added.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said Rs8 billion had been allocated in the current financial year in development and non-development budget of the minority communities. Grants for religious festivals of the minorities have been enhanced from Rs60 million to Rs366 million. A substantial amount has been allocated in the budget for the restoration of 40 historic gurdwaras, 25 churches and five temples.

She added, "The Samadhi Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Lahore, Shri Krishna Temple in Rawalpindi and the Church of Pakistan are being rehabilitated and restored. Scholarship funds worth Rs60 million are allocated for minority students."

She said training courses had been launched in Youhanabad in the first phase, through which 1,000 students would benefit. In the second phase, 10,000 students will benefit from the initiative. Baisakhi, Holi, Diwali, Christmas and Easter were celebrated in Punjab for the first time at the official level. The minorities' quota system is being implemented in letter and spirit in the province.

Meanwhile, over 4,000 cases related to the minority communities have been received by the Virtual Centre for Minorities since its establishment under the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA), of which more than 3,600 cases have been resolved and over 750 FIRs registered to ensure justice. In a statement marking National Minorities Day, a PSCA spokesperson said the centre whad been launched for protecting minorities' rights and addressing their concerns effectively.

The virtual centre operates through the PSCA's emergency helpline 15. Trained officers handle the complaints on a priority basis.

"The PSCA remains fully committed to providing a secure and inclusive environment for all minority communities across Punjab," the spokesperson added, encouraging citizens to utilise the service for immediate police assistance and resolution of grievances.

With additional input from APP