GUJRAT: Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs Ramesh Singh Arora visited Gujranwala and attended a conference on ‘Empowering Women through Education’ at St. Deny’s English High School, Church Road, Gujranwala.

The event was attended by PML-N MNA Mahmood Bashir Virk, Peace Committee member Dr Majid Abel, AC City Iqra Mubeen, social activist Haji Muhammad Yousaf Khokhar, Prof Shehzad Lawrence, and other representatives from various walks of life.

Speaking at the conference, Minister Ramesh Singh Arora said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had clearly stated that it was the government’s foremost responsibility to ensure protection of the minorities.

He said the Punjab government had increased the budget for minority affairs by 250pc and introduced landmark initiatives like the Minority Card to empower minority communities. He announced the launch of a digital e-learning programme, describing it as a blessing for underprivileged students. He added that free coaching classes were being initiated for students from grades 8 to 12.

The minister assured that capacity-building and skill development programmes would be launched to empower minority youth and enable them to bring pride to Pakistan.

MNA Mahmood Bashir Virk reiterated his strong support for minority rights, stating: “Every citizen in Pakistan enjoys equal rights—be it a mosque, temple or church, everyone has the freedom to worship. This was the vision of Quaid-i-Azam. We firmly believe in interfaith harmony and reject all forms of negative propaganda.”

Reverend Dr Majid Abel declared: “We are proud of our identity as Pakistanis and deeply love this land. We will stand united to give a strong response to India’s terrorism and false narratives”.

AC City Iqra Mubeen, Haji Muhammad Yousaf Khokhar and Prof Shehzad Lawrence also spoke.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2025