Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed to launch Minority Week in August every year, replacing the traditional Minority Day with a week-long events aimed at promoting interfaith harmony, religious tolerance and national unity. The ‘Minority Week’ will be observed from August 7 to August 11 across the province through a variety of religious, social and cultural activities.
The Minority Week reaffirm PML-N government’s commitment to building an inclusive society based on equality, mutual respect, religious freedom and brotherhood, while the Punjab Government will continue taking practical measures to strengthen interfaith harmony and protect rights of all minorities.
The inaugural ceremony was held at the Presbyterian Church, Naulakha, Lahore, where Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora led a grand Interfaith Harmony Rally.
The event was attended by Parliamentary Secretary Sonia Ashir, Members of the Provincial Assembly Ijaz Alam Augustine, Waseem Anjum Sandhu, Shakeela Ejaz Arthur and Baba Philobus, Chief Executive of Aagahi Mubarak Ali Sarwar, Muhammad Murtaza Khokhar of the Rural Community Development Society, prominent religious leaders from different faiths, representatives of civil society and members of minority communities.
Bishop Dr. Majeed Abel of the Presbyterian Church held a special prayers for Pakistan’s peace, prosperity, stability and development on the occasion.
Provincial Minister Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora took part in a tree plantation activity within the church premises.
