Punjab Minister for HR&MA Ijaz Alam Augustine said the Punjab government is taking special measures for the minorities and it believed in the dignity and fair treatment of every person; their protection in accordance with the law and everyone should be able to fully participate in the economic, political and social activities.
He was talking to a delegation of American Consulate consisting political & economic chief Barry H. Junker and political & economic specialist Sadaf Saad which called on him at his office on Monday. The visit aims to promote good working relationship regarding religious freedom, interfaith dialogue and respect. During the meeting Barry H. Junker emphasised the importance on religious freedom, the protection of religious minorities, and respect. He also discussed ways the United States could partner with Pakistan especially Punjab in promoting international religious freedom and inter-faith dialogue, seeking opportunities to protect persecuted Muslims, Christians, and people of other faiths.
In charge of TT Cell of Punjab Barrister Saeed Nasir briefed the delegation about departmental progress regarding the protection of human rights. He told that HR&MA Department was protecting the rights of children, women, transgenders, disable persons, senior citizens, minorities etc and recently in a meeting with UNDP, decided to work together for the betterment of human rights. In response of various questions from the delegation,
The minister said that Punjab government was committed to translating the human rights principles enshrined in the constitution into legislation with the robust institutional mechanism. He also briefed about minorities empowerment package, will help marginalized religious communities of Punjab and the package included the implementation of minorities’ quota for jobs and education, system for the remission of sentences, skill development training, minority quota in Naya Pakistan Housing scheme and introduction of religious education in the school of minorities.
He said that the government was also keen on chalking out a policy for construction of worship places of minorities and Punjab government has allocated a grant of Rs 30 million for the Christian community. The minister also recorded his protest against brutality in Kashmir, said on August 5, 2019, the Indian government had taken an aggressive step in Kashmir, ignoring all the UN resolutions, and violated the special status of Kashmir, which was originally proposed by the Indian prime minister. He also emphasised the delegation to perform their proactive role for the freedom of innocent Kashmiris. The delegation assured provincial minister to perform their full cooperation to protect human rights and resolve the issue of Kashmir. At the end of the meeting provincial minister presented a book as present written by HR&MA Department regarding progress of the department.
