Lahore: A heritage photo walk and a ceremony marking National Minority Day were held here on Monday as part of National Minority Week activities being organised across Punjab on the directions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to promote religious harmony. tolerance and national unity.
Provincial Minister for Minorities Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora attended both events. which were organised by the Human Rights and Minorities Affairs department. Hundreds of students participated in the heritage photo walk. visiting some of Lahore’s prominent places of worship. including Sacred Heart Cathedral. Church of Pakistan. Naulakha Church. Krishna Temple and Gurdwara Dera Sahib.
The walk concluded at the Lahore Fort. where participants enjoyed a special musical performance. Addressing the participants. the minister said Lahore’s centuries-old religious and cultural heritage reflected the city’s rich historical identity and stressed that introducing young people to this shared heritage was essential for promoting tolerance and interfaith harmony.
He said Pakistan’s religious and cultural heritage belonged to all citizens and its preservation was a collective responsibility. adding that greater understanding of different faiths could further strengthen mutual respect and peaceful coexistence. A separate ceremony marking National Minority Day was also held at the University of Home Economics. Secretary Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Dr Usman Ali Khan. Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zaib-un-Nisa Hussain. faculty members. students. Bishop Dr Majid Abiel and Hindu religious leader Pandit Amar Nath Randhawa attended the event.
Speaking at the ceremony. the minister said protection of minority rights remained a constitutional obligation of the state and described the implementation of the Sikh Marriage Act and Hindu Marriage Act as significant milestones in safeguarding the rights of minority communities. He said the Kartarpur Corridor stood as a symbol of interfaith harmony.
Referring to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s historic August 11. 1947 address. he said the founder of Pakistan had envisioned equal rights and religious freedom for all citizens. regardless of faith. and noted that the Constitution of Pakistan fully guaranteed those rights.
The minister said the Punjab government under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif was actively promoting constructive opportunities and inclusive initiatives for minorities and youth. Reaffirming the chief minister’s commitment. he said minorities were a valued part of society and their protection remained a top priority of the provincial government. He urged young people to uphold the vision of Quaid-e-Azam and contribute to Pakistan’s progress while stating that National Minority Week activities were aimed at promoting religious tolerance. brotherhood. interfaith harmony and national cohesion. He also acknowledged the role of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in safeguarding the country’s peace and security.
