Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has reiterated that the protection of minorities’ lives and property is a top priority for her government, calling it a “red-line” that will be safeguarded at all costs.

In her message on the occasion of the Hindu festival of Holi, she emphasised the importance of the occasion as a symbol of love, peace, and brotherhood, Express News reported.

She noted that Pakistan is a harmonious blend of various religious communities, all of which enjoy equal rights and opportunities.

Maryam Nawaz further stated that Punjab, the land of Sufis, is committed to fostering an environment of love, tolerance, and mutual respect, where every citizen, irrespective of their religion, feels safe and empowered.

The government is taking practical steps to ensure the welfare of minority communities, providing equal access to education, health, employment, and other essential services.

She highlighted that the introduction of the Minority Card is an important initiative to support economically disadvantaged members of the minority community. Additionally, the provincial government has increased grants for religious festivals and cultural celebrations, and allocated additional funds for minority welfare programs.

Punjab’s government is also working towards celebrating religious and cultural festivals at the official level, ensuring that the rights and traditions of all communities are honoured.

Earlier this year, Punjab Chief Minister increased the number of Minority Cards to the issued in the province to 75,000 from 50,000.

Launching Pakistan’s first Chief Minister Minority Card in a ceremony attended by women and men from the Hindu, Sikh, Christian and other communities, she said, “It is our responsibility to protect the minority communities and improve their lives. I am fulfilling my duty to grant protection to the minorities with full responsibility.”

She added, “We will hinder the path of those who endanger the lives and property of the minority communities with an iron hand. Minorities also have an equal role in the development of Pakistan. Whenever any dangerous situation emerges for the minorities, I myself monitor and oversee it as minorities are a symbol of pride for us.” She distributed the cards and observed the transaction process via ATM of a beneficiary.

Provincial Minority Affairs Minister Ramesh Singh Arora expressed gratitude to the CM in Punjabi language.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said, “The Punjab government has launched the Minority Card for the well-being of our sisters, brothers, elders and children so that they should realise that they are also Pakistanis and Punjabis. I am not making a political statement but everyone should realise that the minorities are also as much a part of our beloved homeland as other Pakistanis. The name ‘minority’ has been given in Pakistan to which I disagree.”

She added, “I am pleased to see that the rightful owners are happy to receive their right as all religions are united in a strong bond.”

She said messages of felicitation had been received from all over the world on the appointment of the first Sikh minister in the Punjab cabinet. She added, “My father Muhammad Nawaz Sharif always forbade me from using the word minority for the communities. They may be fewer in number, but are no less than anyone with regard to patriotism and humanity. I deem it imperative to participate in every festivity of the Sikh, Hindu and Christian communities.”

The chief minister said all commissioners and DCs had been directed to decorate the minorities’ places of worship and neighbourhoods for every religious festival, including Holi and Easter.

She said the PML-N government had increased the budget of the minority affairs department.

She said 50,000 families in Punjab would receive Rs10,500 after every three months and the amount would be increased in the coming years, while number of beneficiary households would be hiked to 75,000.

She added that Rs10,500 was a meagre amount but a token gift on behalf of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and the Punjab government. She said the grant issued on the eve of minority festivals had been increased from Rs10,000 to Rs15,000.

“Neighbourhoods and religious places of the minority communities are also being developed. A cemetery for the Christian community will be ready in a few months. The annual development budget for the minority communities has been increased by 60 per cent,” she added.

Bishop Nadeem Kamran, Sardar Saranjit Singh and Pandit Lal prayed on the occasion.