Lahore: Punjab Minister for Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, on the special directives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, visited Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya in Malaysia to promote interfaith harmony, religious tolerance and faith tourism.
He received a warm welcome from the local Sikh community, said a handout issued here on Sunday. The minister was received by the Gurdwara management, former President Avtar Singh Terry, President Dalbir Singh, General Secretary Manisha Kaur and other Sikh community leaders. The Pakistani delegation included Community Welfare Attach© at the High Commission of Pakistan in Malaysia Hamza Naveed, Sardar Jaskaran Singh, Sardar Pulvinder Singh and Hafiz Muzammil.
During the meeting, both sides discussed matters of mutual interest, strengthening religious ties, promoting faith tourism and enhancing people-to-people contacts between Pakistan and the Sikh diaspora in Malaysia.
Conveying a special message from Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora invited members of the Sikh community to visit Pakistan in November to participate in Gurpurab celebrations and pay obeisance at the country’s sacred Gurdwaras.
He said the Government of Pakistan, the Punjab Government, the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and the Evacuee Trust Property Board were committed to providing world-class facilities, comprehensive security arrangements and a peaceful environment for Sikh pilgrims from around the world.
The minister said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Punjab Government was taking practical measures for the restoration, preservation and development of historic Gurdwaras while ensuring better facilities for pilgrims. He added that the chief minister’s vision for protecting minority rights, safeguarding religious freedom and preserving sacred religious sites reflected Pakistan’s commitment to inclusive governance and interfaith harmony.
Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora said the purpose of his visit to Malaysia was to promote interfaith harmony, religious tolerance and project Pakistan’s peaceful and positive image at the international level. He reaffirmed the Punjab Government’s resolve to strengthen relations with the global Sikh community and further promote religious tourism.
At the conclusion of the visit, the Sikh Sangat of Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya honoured Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora and members of the Pakistani delegation by presenting them with traditional Siropas.