RAHIM YAR KHAN (Nazrana Times): Pakistan’s Punjab government held its main Diwali celebration in Rahim Yar Khan, where Provincial Minister for Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora attended as chief guest and opened the event by lighting Diwali lamps.

Hindu community members, including many women and children, attended alongside guests from various walks of life. The programme featured religious and cultural performances, a Diwali cake-cutting ceremony and fireworks. The event highlighted peace, tolerance and mutual respect among people of different faiths.

Arora Highlights Punjab’s Minority Welfare Measures

Speaking at the event, Arora recalled that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif had described minorities as the crown on her head when she took office. He said her government was acting on that commitment through welfare programmes and public services for minority communities.

Arora said minority communities should have equal rights and the freedom to observe their religious customs. He cited the strong turnout of women as a sign of confidence in the provincial government’s welfare policies and pointed to development and welfare projects launched in Rahim Yar Khan and other districts.

The minister also praised the PML-N’s public service initiatives under former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. He referred to the government’s efforts to stabilise the economy and the role of the armed forces in national defence under Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.

Budget Increase, Minority Cards and Scholarships

Arora said Punjab had increased its minority affairs budget from PKR 100 million to PKR 16 billion. He said eligible families were receiving financial assistance through the Minority Card programme and that work was underway to repair, renovate and restore temples and churches.

He said scholarships were helping minority students pursue higher education and cited a special quota for minority candidates in the Central Superior Services (CSS) examinations. He added that young people from minority communities were being involved in efforts to promote interfaith harmony.

Hindu Community Members Welcome Government-Supported Celebration

On behalf of the chief minister, Arora thanked guests from Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar for attending. He said the provincial government was committed to ensuring that minority communities could participate equally in development.

Hindu community members thanked Maryam Nawaz Sharif and Arora for organising the celebration and joining them in marking Diwali. Participants described the event as an important step towards recognising the religious festivals of minority communities.