The chief minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz, reiterated that the protection of the life and property of minorities is an absolute priority for his government, calling it “red line” which will be saved at all costs.
In her message on the occasion of the Hindu Holi festival, she stressed the importance of the occasion as a symbol of love, peace and fraternity, Express News reported.
She noted that Pakistan is a harmonious mixture of various religious communities, which all enjoy rights and opportunities.
Maryam Nawaz also said that Punjab, the country of Sufis, is committed to promoting an environment of love, tolerance and mutual respect, where each citizen, whatever his religion, feels safe and empowered.
The government takes practical measures to ensure the well-being of minority communities, providing equal access to education, health, employment and other essential services.
She 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 has allocated additional funds for minority social protection programs.
The Punjab government also strives to celebrate religious and cultural festivals at the official level, ensuring that the rights and traditions of all communities are honored.
Earlier this year, the Minister -in -Chief of Punjab increased the number of minority cards for issuing in the province to 75,000, compared to 50,000.
The launch of the first minority card of the chief minister of Pakistan during a ceremony attended by women and men of the Hindu, Sikhs, Christian and others communities, it said: “It is our responsibility to protect minority communities and improve their lives. I fulfill my duty to grant protection to minorities in all responsibility.”
She added: “We are going to hinder the path of those who endanger the life and property of minority communities with an iron fist. The minorities also have an equal role in the development of Pakistan. Each time a dangerous situation emerges for minorities, I monitor myself and I supervise it because the minorities are a symbol of pride for us.” She distributed the cards and observed the transaction process via ATM of a beneficiary.
The Minister of Affairs of Provincial Minorities, Ramesh Singh Arora, expressed his gratitude to the CM in the Punjabi language.
Head Minister Maryam Nawaz said: “The Punjab government has launched the minority card for the well-being of our sisters, brothers, alumni and children so that they are also Pakistanis and Punjabis. I do not make a political declaration, but everyone should realize that the minorities are also as much part of our beloved Homeland like another Pakistan.
She added: “I am delighted to see that legitimate owners are happy to receive their right because all religions are united in a strong bond.”
She said that messages of congratulations had been received from around the world during the appointment of Prime Minister Sikh to the Punjab cabinet. She added: “My father Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has always forbidden me to use the word minority for communities. They can be less numerous, but are no less than anyone with regard to patriotism and humanity. I judge him imperative to participate in each feast of the Sikh, Hindu and Christian communities.”
The chief minister said that all the commissioners and CDs had been responsible for decorating the places of worship of the minorities and the districts for each religious festival, including Holi and Easter.
She said the PML-N government increased the budget for the minority business department.
She said that 50,000 families in Punjab would receive 10,500 rupees every three months and that the amount would be increased in the coming years, while the number of beneficiary households would be increased to 75,000.
She added that 10,500 rupees were a meager 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 gone from Rs10,000 to Rs15,000.
“The districts and religious places of the minority communities are also under development. A cemetery for the Christian community will be ready in a few months. The annual development budget for minority communities has been increased by 60%,” she added.
Bishop Nadeem Kamran, Sardar Saranjit Singh and Pandit Lal prayed on this occasion.
