Full Religious Freedom and Facilities for Sikh Community in Pakistan: Arora

By Muhammad Shahzad, Lahore Pakistan
Lahore: A vibrant cultural night and dinner were hosted at Hazuri Bagh, Lahore, by Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz in honour of Sikh pilgrims. Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs and President of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Ramesh Singh Arora, attended the event as a special guest.
Provincial Minister for Finance Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique, Uzma Kardar, Commissioner Lahore Maryam Khan, and Deputy Commissioner Lahore Captain (R) Ali Ejaz were also present. The Sikh pilgrims showed great enthusiasm, dancing to the beats of the dhol, while the venue echoed with slogans of “Jo Bole So Nihal” and “Pakistan Zindabad.”
Renowned performers Saleem Albela, Iftikhar Thakur, and Jawad Wasim added colour to the evening with their performances. On the occasion, Ramesh Singh Arora also clapped along with Sikh pilgrims to the rhythm of the dhol, further energising the atmosphere.
The Sikh pilgrims expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, and Minister Ramesh Singh Arora for their warm hospitality.
Addressing the ceremony, Ramesh Singh Arora extended a heartfelt “Ji Aayan Nu” to Sikh pilgrims arriving from India and other countries on behalf of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. He said strict and comprehensive security arrangements had been ensured on the directions of the Chief Minister, while the cultural night aimed to showcase Punjab’s rich heritage to Sikh visitors.
He emphasised that the Government of Punjab is committed to promoting religious tolerance and interfaith harmony through effective policies. Pakistan, he said, “cannot even think of preventing Sikh pilgrims from performing their religious rituals,” adding that no force can stop them from practising their faith.
He further stated that the arrival of Sikh pilgrims is a source of joy and their departure is felt emotionally. He said Pakistan is providing full religious freedom and excellent facilities to Sikh pilgrims, and its doors will always remain open for them.
Ramesh Singh Arora highlighted that, under the Chief Minister’s directives, the protection of minority rights is being ensured while restoration and renovation of Sikh holy sites are being carried out on a priority basis. He said providing international-standard facilities to pilgrims remains a top priority.
He added that practical steps are being taken to promote interfaith harmony and that Pakistan’s positive, moderate, and peaceful image is being recognised globally. Providing a safe and welcoming environment for minorities, he said, is the government’s responsibility.
He noted that Sikh pilgrims were also taken on tours of Lahore and introduced to its cultural and historical heritage. During their stay, they were provided with complete facilities in a welcoming environment.
Concluding, he said Sikh pilgrims will always be welcomed whenever they wish to visit Pakistan, and the country will continue to facilitate visa issuance. He expressed hope that they would return with pleasant memories, adding that Pakistan’s commitment to peace and interfaith harmony is widely acknowledged worldwide.