Lahore: An interfaith seminar titled ‘Green Pakistan, United Pakistan’ was organised by the Life for Guardians Foundation (LGF) at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Cantt Saddar, on Saturday to promote environmental protection, climate action, interfaith harmony and national unity in connection with National Minority Day and Pakistan’s Independence Day.
Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs Ramesh Singh Arora, who attended the seminar as chief guest, said Pakistan was a beautiful bouquet of diverse religions, cultures and traditions where all citizens enjoyed equal rights. He said National Minority Day and Independence Day conveyed a strong message of unity, tolerance, mutual respect and national harmony.
The minister said protecting the environment through tree plantation, cleanliness and conservation of natural resources was not only a national responsibility but also a moral obligation. He appreciated LGF for bringing together religious leaders, civil society, youth and environmental advocates on a common platform, saying such initiatives strengthened interfaith harmony while encouraging collective action against climate change.
Highlighting the Punjab government’s commitment, Ramesh Singh Arora said the provincial administration, under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, was implementing effective policies to promote environmental sustainability, expand tree plantation campaigns, curb pollution and address the impacts of climate change.
Former Provincial Minister Ijaz Alam Augustine said all religions practiced in Pakistan preached peace, love, service to humanity and respect for nature. He said minority communities had always made valuable contributions to Pakistan’s development, stability and prosperity, adding that environmental protection required joint efforts by the government and every segment of society to ensure a clean, green and safe future for coming generations.
Speaking on the occasion, LGF Executive Director Mehnaz Javed said the seminar aimed to unite religious leaders, government representatives, environmentalists, civil society organizations, students and youth to promote collaborative efforts for environmental conservation, sustainable development and national cohesion. She stressed that greater public awareness and community participation were essential to effectively tackle environmental challenges.
Religious leaders and community representatives, including Bishop Naeem Prashad, Father William, Professor Kalyan Singh Kalyan, Dar-e-Shehwar of the P-CAN Network, Shah Nawaz Khan of SPO and columnist Sheeba Gul, emphasized that all religions advocated respect for humanity, protection of nature and preservation of the earth. They called for stronger cooperation among religious communities and civil society to address environmental issues.
At the conclusion of the event, Provincial Minister Ramesh Singh Arora led a ‘Green Pakistan’ rally joined by religious leaders, civil society representatives, students and youth. He also planted a sapling at the church premises, reaffirming the collective commitment to building a cleaner, greener and healthier Pakistan.
Punjab Assembly members Tariq Masih Gill and Wasim Anjum Sandhu, along with representatives of government institutions, environmental organizations, religious communities, civil society and a large number of students and young participants, attended the seminar.
