LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif recently engaged in discussions with a seven-member Sikh delegation from America, led by founder chairman Chund Hoke. The meeting, conducted in Punjabi, focused on various areas of collaboration and mutual interest.
The delegation expressed appreciation for the Punjab government’s progressive initiatives, including efforts to safeguard minority rights, implement the Sikh Marriage Act, ensure peaceful Christmas festivities, rejuvenate the use of the Punjabi language, and introduce Punjabi signboards across the province.
Maryam Nawaz extended a warm welcome to the visitors and conveyed gratitude to the global Sikh community for their enduring affection for Punjab and Pakistan. She acknowledged the historical and spiritual significance of Punjab’s sacred Sikh sites and emphasized the deep-rooted emotional connection shared by the Sikh community.
Highlighting the symbolic importance of Kartarpur as a gesture of peace, she reaffirmed her government’s dedication to preserving Sikh heritage. This includes ongoing restoration work on 56 historic gurdwaras across the region.
The chief minister also detailed several welfare initiatives, such as the minority card program aimed at supporting non-Muslim communities, enhanced security measures for Sikh pilgrims, and efforts to promote religious tourism. She underscored Pakistan’s commitment to fostering peace, harmony, and interfaith unity, ensuring that the safety and well-being of Sikh visitors remain an absolute priority.
