LAHORE - Sikh spiritual leader and Nishkan Group Chairman Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia called on Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Tuesday.
During the meeting, they discussed preparations for celebrations of 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Devji.
The CM assured full cooperation of Punjab government and said full protection of constitutional rights of minority communities including Sikhs has been fully ensured in Pakistan.
Historic steps have been taken for wellbeing of Sikhs living in Punjab; he said, adding that all possible steps are being taken for maintaining Gurudwaras and other religious places of all the minorities. He went on: “In fact, protection of fundamental rights of the minorities, along with protection of their life and property, is part of Punjab government’s priorities. It is sanguine that Sikhs, as well as all the religious minorities, enjoy complete religious freedom along with constitutional rights. It is governmental policy to ensure protection and provision of different facilities to the Sikh community and other religious minorities for performing their religious rituals. Along with it, implementation on minority quota in public sector recruitments is also being ensured and we feel proud to serve the Sikh brethren. “The Punjab government is following the golden principles of Islam including interfaith harmony and tolerance.”
Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia said they are thankful to Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif for providing different facilities to his community.
“The steps of Punjab government taken for wellbeing of the Sikh community are laudable and credit of complete interfaith harmony goes to CM Shehbaz. Shehbaz Sharif is a visionary leader who is loved not only in Pakistan but abroad as well,” he added.
The Chief Minister presented a gift of carpet to Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia. Phaldeep Singh Khela, Bhupinder Singh Minhas, Sohail Ahmad and others were also present on the occasion.
Also Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan is needed to be projected as a sovereign, self-respected and self-reliant state and the leadership of Pakistan Muslim League-N has a development vision to move the motherland towards the road to progress and prosperity.
Talking to the President of PML-N Middle East Ch. Noor-ul-Hassan Tanveer, the Chief Minister said that continued hard work is being carried out to cover the backlogs resulting due to negative politics of agitation in the journey of development. In the backdrop of international scenario, Pakistan cannot afford any negative politics, he added. The Chief Minister said that expatriate Pakistanis are ambassadors of the country and their strong role in strengthening of national economy cannot be ignored. Pakistanis doing strenuous hard work in different countries of the world have earned a niche and brought laurels home with their commitment and passion. Pakistani professionals have proved their mettle in different sectors across the globe and God-gifted abilities and skills of Pakistanis are recognized the world over. The Chief Minister said that the role of Pakistani professionals and skilled workforce in the overall development of Middle East is unforgettable and they have also played an important role in strengthening of national economy. Shehbaz Sharif said that his life is dedicated to public service and solution of their problems. After winning the elections of 2018, many more mega public welfare projects will be introduced. He said that Overseas Pakistanis Commission, Punjab is actively working to solve the problems of expatriate Pakistanis and their district level committees are playing their active role in this regard.
President PML-N Middle East Ch Noorul Hassan Tanveer said that Shehbaz Sharif has set high standards of public service and mega projects of PML-N government have no resemblance in the 70 years history of the country. The expatriate Pakistanis fully appreciate the services of Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif and pray for his longevity. Vice Chairman Overseas Pakistanis Commission, Punjab Khalid Shaheen Butt and Commissioner Afzaal Bhatti were also present on the occasion.