Minister Arora Unveils Major Initiatives for Religious Minorities in Punjab

News Desk

Lahore: Punjab Minister for Minorities, Ramesh Singh Arora, has announced several significant initiatives undertaken by the Human Rights & Minority Affairs department, under the supervision of Chief Minister Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, aimed at enhancing the welfare of religious minorities, particularly minority students. The minister outlined these developments at an event held at Forman Christian College & University (FCCU), organized by the Center for Law and Justice (CLJ) on Sunday.

Key achievements highlighted by the minister include the introduction of a 2 percent minority admission quota in public sector universities across Punjab and the identification and recruitment of 18,914 vacancies under the 5 percent minority job quota.

To promote inclusivity, a notification has been issued to replace the term “Esai” with “Masih” in all public correspondence.

Additionally, the Punjab government has implemented a no-hate material policy in all textbooks published by the Punjab Curriculum Textbook Board. Under the Punjab Skill Development Program, 5,000 minority students have received free training to enhance their skills and employability.

The event also celebrated the graduation of 30 female students from the Khushhali (Prosperity) Fellowship Program.

This pioneering program, led by Mary James Gill and Asif Aqeel in collaboration with the British Council, the University of Lancaster, and FCCU, aims to empower young girls from sanitation workers’ families in Lahore’s underserved slums by helping them overcome educational barriers and improve their occupational mobility.

Prominent attendees at the ceremony included the French Ambassador to Pakistan, Clara Strandhoj, the Head of the British High Commission’s Lahore Office, FCCU Rector Dr Jonathan Addleton, Secretary of Women Development Sumaira Sammad, Hafiz Allah Niazi, Usama Khawar, and Special Secretary of Higher Education Lubna Mansoor.

The minister praised the collaborative efforts and emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring equal opportunities and support for minority communities in Punjab.