Punjab Prime Minister Maryam Nawaz has reiterated that the protection of life and property of minorities is a priority for his government, calling him a “red line” that will be safeguarded at all costs.
In his message on the occasion of Holi Hindu festival, he emphasized the importance of the occasion as a symbol of love, peace and brotherhood, said Express News.
He pointed out that Pakistan is a harmonious mixture of several religious communities, all of which enjoy equal rights and opportunities.
Maryam Nawaz also declared that Punjab, the land of the Sufi, is committed to fostering an atmosphere of love, tolerance and mutual respect, where each citizen, regardless of their religion, feels safe and empowered.
The government is taking practical measures to guarantee the well -being of minority communities, providing equal access to education, health, employment and other essential services.
He stressed that the introduction of the minority card is an important initiative to support economically disadvantaged members of the minority community. In addition, the provincial government has increased subsidies for religious festivals and cultural celebrations, and assigned additional funds for minority welfare programs.
The Punjab government is also working to celebrate religious and cultural festivals at the official level, ensuring that the rights and traditions of all communities are honored.
Earlier this year, Punjab Prime Minister increased the number of minority cards to the issued in the province to 75,000 from 50,000.
Launching the first minority card of the Prime Minister of Pakistan in a ceremony attended by women and men from the Hindu communities, SIJ, Christian and other communities, said: “It is our responsibility to protect minority communities and improve their lives. I am fulfilling my duty to grant protection to minorities with full responsibility.”
He added: “We will hinder the path of those who endanger the lives and property of minority communities with an iron hand. Minorities also have an equal role in the development of Pakistan. Whenever a dangerous situation arises for minorities, myself monitoring and supervise as minorities are a symbol of pride for us.” She distributed the cards and observed the transaction process through ATM of a beneficiary.
The Minister of Provincial Minorities, Ramesh Singh Arora, expressed his gratitude to CM in Punjabi language.
Prime Minister Maryam Nawaz said: “The Punjab government has launched the minority card for the well -being of our sisters, brothers, elders and children, so they must realize that they are also Pakistanis and Punjabis. I am not making a political statement, but everyone should realize that minorities are also as part of our beloved homeland as another Pakistanis.
She added: “I am pleased to see that legitimate owners are happy to receive their right since all religions are united in a strong link.”
She said that all the world had been congratulated from congratulating about the appointment of the Sij prime minister in the Punjab cabinet. She added: “My father Muhammad Nawaz Sharif always forbade me to use the word minority for communities. They can be less in number, but they are not less than anyone with respect to patriotism and humanity. I consider imperative to participate in each holiday of the sijes, Hindus and Christian communities.”
The prime minister said that all commissioners and DCs had been aimed at decorating places of worship and minority neighborhoods for each religious festival, including Holi and Easter.
She said the PML-N government had increased the budget of the Department of Minority Affairs.
She said that 50,000 families in Punjab would receive RS10,500 every three months and that the amount would increase in the coming years, while the number of beneficiary households would rise to 75,000.
He added that RS10,500 was a scarce amount, but a symbolic gift on behalf of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the Punjab government. She said that the subsidy issued on the eve of the minority festivals had increased from RS10,000 to RS15,000.
“The neighborhoods and religious places of minority communities are also developing. A cemetery for the Christian community will be ready in a few months. The annual development budget for minority communities has increased by 60 percent,” he added.
Bishop Nadeem Kamran, Sardar Saranjit Singh and Pandit Lal prayed on the occasion.
