Minorities Are Government’s Priority, Says Ramesh Singh Arora

Punjab Government Boosts Minority Welfare Budget to Rs 8 Billion: Ramesh Singh Arora
Sialkot Ali Imran Chattha 

Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs Ramesh Singh Arora has said that minorities are “the crown of the government’s head,” emphasizing that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz is committed to safeguarding their constitutional rights and eliminating their sense of deprivation.
He revealed that the Punjab government has increased the budget of the Minority Affairs Department from Rs 50 crore to Rs 8 billion, while one hundred thousand minority cards have already been issued.
Interfaith Harmony Convention Held in Sialkot
The minister expressed these views while addressing a major interfaith harmony convention held at Sialkot Medical College on Daska Road as the chief guest. The event was attended by people from various religions and schools of thought.
Notable participants included Minister of State for Planning and Development Chaudhry Armaghan Subhani, Member of National Assembly Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, and Chairman of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad.
Senior officials such as Commissioner Gujranwala Division Syed Naveed Haider Shirazi, Deputy Commissioner Sialkot Saba Asghar Ali, Parliamentary Secretary Sonia Ashir, MPA Shakeela Arthur, and Bishop of Lahore Nadeem Kamran were also present.
Government Support for Minority Festivals and Worship Places
Ramesh Singh Arora stated that minority festivals are receiving official patronage, and millions of rupees have been allocated for the restoration and renovation of places of worship.
He announced that restoration work on Gurdwara Baoli Sahib and Gurdwara Fateh Bhandar will begin soon.
Minorities Stand with Pakistan’s Armed Forces
The minister highlighted that minorities in Pakistan stand shoulder to shoulder with the nation and the armed forces. He praised the people of Sialkot for always acting as a “steel wall” against enemy aggression, including water and military threats.
Leaders Emphasize Constitutional Rights and Unity
Chaudhry Armaghan Subhani said that the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees minority rights and that minorities are playing a vital role in national development. He added that the government is providing full opportunities for their inclusion in the national mainstream.
Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad emphasized that Islam teaches respect for humanity and religious tolerance.
Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar stated that the leadership of the Pakistan Muslim League (N) is committed to ensuring minorities live with dignity and that protecting the lives and property of non-Muslim citizens is a state responsibility.
Minorities Played Key Role in Relief Efforts
Commissioner Gujranwala Syed Naveed Haider Shirazi noted that during last year’s floods and challenging situations, minorities actively participated in frontline rescue and relief operations. He added that exemplary interfaith harmony exists across the Gujranwala Division.
Renewed Commitment to Interfaith Harmony
The convention concluded with a renewed pledge to promote interfaith harmony, tolerance, and national unity across Pakistan.