LAHORE: Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora has expressed solidarity with the victims and the Christian community on the third anniversary of the Jaranwala incident, saying that the painful memories of August 16 remain fresh and the tragedy continues to be a deep wound on the collective conscience of society.
In his message, the provincial minister said the Punjab government stands with the affected families and remains committed to ensuring the protection of the lives, properties and fundamental rights of religious minorities across the province.
Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Punjab government has placed the protection of minorities, religious freedom and interfaith harmony among its key priorities. He said the government would not tolerate discrimination, violence or injustice against any citizen on the basis of religion or belief.
“Protecting every citizen’s life, property and dignity is the fundamental responsibility of the state,” he said, adding that effective measures had been taken to strengthen the security of minority communities and ensure the rule of law.
The minister made it clear that no individual or group would be allowed to take the law into its own hands or violate the rights of religious minorities. He said Punjab was committed to creating an environment in which followers of all faiths could freely practise their religions and live with dignity and a sense of security. He said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif had adopted a clear and firm policy for the protection of minorities and their rights. Her government’s practical initiatives, he added, reflected the commitment to ensuring equal opportunities and access to welfare, education, employment and development for all communities.
He said the Jaranwala tragedy served as a reminder of the need to strengthen tolerance, rule of law and interfaith harmony across society. The Punjab government, he added, would continue working to ensure that such incidents do not recur and that every citizen feels secure and respected regardless of faith or religious identity. He said Pakistan belonged equally to all its citizens and that the contributions of minority communities to the country’s progress and prosperity were invaluable.
“Minorities are not merely a part of our population; they are an integral part of Pakistan’s national fabric, a source of pride and important partners in the country’s development,” Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora concluded.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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