Pakistan a Practical Example of Interfaith Harmony, Says Federal Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf

  Lahore (Ali Imran Chattha)

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, stated that Pakistan is a practical example of interfaith harmony. He emphasized that Pakistan is a peaceful, tolerant, and humane country where no discrimination is made on the basis of religion, color, or race. Rejecting the baseless allegations made by India regarding the Golden Temple, he said that the respect and protection provided to religious sites of minorities in Pakistan is exemplary for the world. He added that the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) is actively working on the restoration and renovation of all places of worship associated with minority heritage, including gurdwaras. He made these remarks while speaking to media representatives during his visit to Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hassan Abdal, accompanied by the local Sikh community. Present on the occasion were Chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board Dr. Muhammad Sajid Chauhan, 

Additional Secretary Shrines Saifullah Khokhar, Rawalpindi Zone Administrator Tanveer Hussain, Deputy Administrator Yasir Asghar Monga, and others. Speaking to the media, he highlighted that the Evacuee Trust Property Board, Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, and other institutions are at the forefront of serving Sikh pilgrims. The Kartarpur Corridor is a living example of Pakistan’s practical efforts to promote religious harmony. The federal minister announced that Sikh pilgrims from all over the world will be welcomed in June for the martyrdom anniversary of Guru Arjan Dev Ji and the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, with top-level arrangements being ensured for their stay and participation. He stated that on the occasion of Vaisakhi, 6,751 Sikh pilgrims were issued visas immediately, which was part of the Prime Minister’s policy of interfaith respect. He reaffirmed that Pakistan not only protects its sacred sites but also considers it a duty to host visitors from around the world. On this occasion, the Sikh community expressed their love for the Pakistan Armed Forces over the success of Operation "Bunyad-ul-Marsous" and chanted slogans of "Pakistan Zindabad" at Gurdwara Panja Sahib.