TAXILA: The Sikh community living in Hassanabdal was assured on Wednesday that their lives, property and religious places would be protected and they would enjoy religious freedom in accordance with the constitution and vision of Quaid-e-Azam.

This assurance was given by District Police Officer (DPO) Hasan Asad Alvi and Deputy Commissioner retired Flt Lt Imran Qureshi while addressing an Indpendence Day function orgainsed by Sikh community at Gurdwara Punja Sahib Hassanabdal.

Addressing the ceremony, the DPO said that Islam as well as Constitution treated all communities as equal.

He said the district administration would ensure complete freedom for all the religious minorities.

He said police would utilise its resources to protect the life, property and worship places of all minorities living in the district especially.

He said the Quaid had made a promise to all communities that they would be treated equally and their rights would be protected.

The DPO also met the elders of Sikh community and invited them to visit his office.

He said that the doors of his office were always open for all and he won’t let anyone sabotage the peace of the district.

Mr Qureshi in his address said all minorities of Pakistan enjoyed religious freedom and complete security.

Speaking on the occasion, Sikh community leaders lauded the government for providing different facilities to Sikh community along with maintenance and beautification of religious places.

Published in Dawn, August 16th, 2018