The Punjab Auqaf Department has provided an amount of Rs 1 million as education stipends to 350 minority students during the current fiscal year 2006-07. This was stated by Auqaf minister, Saeed-ul-Hassan Shah while talking to members of provincial inter-religious harmony committee here on Saturday.
He said that this facility has enabled the poor minority students to continue their education. Talking about the need to further promote the inter-faith dialogue, he said that community leaders of different faiths should play their due role in greater socialisation of the people at grass roots level.
The community leaders should also strive for promoting religious tolerance and enlightenment, he added. The Punjab government has done a lot for the betterment of religious minorities. District levels inter-religion harmony committees have already been set up in 35 districts for involving people in this crusade, he said.
He said that role of religious minorities in national development has been increased manifold as a result of government reforms and people are now more sensitised to human rights and rule of law. Pakistan is the best role model for the welfare of its minorities, he concluded.