Shahzad Alamgir, Bureau Chief, Dawn TV, Daily Dawn
Lahore: Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs and Human Rights, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, met with US Consul General Lahore Kristen Hawkins and US Embassy representatives Han Nee, Ismail and Nikal Lakhanpal in his office, while Human Rights Secretary Farid Ahmed Tarar and Deputy Secretary Human Rights Rizwana Naveed were also present in this important meeting.
During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on cooperation in various aspects of minority rights, interfaith harmony, education, religious tourism, and digital development.
The provincial minister briefed the delegation about the minority-friendly policies of the Punjab government, including quotas in jobs, educational scholarships, and grants for the repair of places of worship.
He termed Punjab’s religious and cultural diversity as an important source of promoting religious tourism. He welcomed international cooperation for the protection and promotion of holy places of Christians, Sikhs, Hindus, and other communities.
The meeting also emphasized the promotion of dialogue between different religions. The US Consul General appreciated the efforts of the Punjab government to protect minorities and maintain an atmosphere of tolerance and harmony in the province.
Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora thanked international partners, especially the United States, for their support in strengthening democratic institutions, civil society, and development projects in Pakistan. He expressed hope for cooperation in joint projects related to capacity building, cultural exchange, and minority development in the future, while at the end of the meeting, both sides expressed their determination to continue continuous communication and collaboration for the betterment of all communities in Punjab.
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