National Minorities’ Day marked: Punjab CM vows to follow Quaid’s vision

On National Minorities Day, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif pledged to uphold the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah for the welfare of minorities in Pakistan. In her message, she acknowledged the valuable contributions of minority communities to Pakistan's development and prosperity. The CM asserted that Pakistan is a homeland for all, where individuals can freely practice their religion and live without fear.

Minorities, she pointed out, serve as the beauty and pride of Pakistani society. Under her administration, the Punjab government is committed to ensuring equal rights, education, and welfare opportunities for minority communities. To promote inclusion, Punjab introduced the "Minority Card" - a quarterly benefit of Rs10,500 for minority families. The province also became the first to legalize "Anand Karaj" (Sikh marriage ceremony) and the Hindu Marriage Act 2017.

To facilitate access to education, healthcare, and employment, the government has substantially increased its budgets for minority communities and expanded grants for religious festivals. The administration is currently prioritizing the restoration and construction of Punjab's historic religious sites, including gurdwaras, churches, and temples. Additionally, scholarships have been introduced for minority students, and live courses have been launched at Youhanabad.

The CM emphasized that the minority quota system is being implemented across the province. She reaffirmed the government's commitment to safeguarding minority rights and ensuring their rightful participation in every field. Punjab is moving towards a society where love and tolerance are celebrated, and the chief minister vowed that minorities would remain the "beautiful colours of Pakistan," never to fade.