LAHORE: Scholarships of Rs. 100,000, Rs. 75,000, and Rs. 50,000 were awarded to minority students for their exceptional performance in the Matric examinations, underscoring the Punjab government’s dedication to promoting educational opportunities for all citizens. Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, conveying Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s message, emphasized the government’s commitment to equal rights and the inclusion of minority communities in the province’s development initiatives.

According to Directorate General Public Relations – Govt of Punjab, the ceremony highlighted the Punjab government’s efforts in enhancing the welfare, protection, and development of minority communities under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. Marriyum Aurangzeb noted the significant increase in the budget for the Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Department, now at Rs. 14.6 billion, reflecting the government’s focus on minority welfare. She praised the Chief Minister’s initiatives, including the issuance of Minority Cards and the launch of the Interfaith Ambassadorship Programme.

Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs and Human Rights Ramesh Singh Arora reiterated the government’s dedication to protecting minority rights, referencing the historic vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He acknowledged the practical measures taken by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to advance religious freedom and equality. The National Minority Week 2026, marked by a grand rally in Lahore, aimed to promote religious harmony and national unity.

The event was attended by various dignitaries, religious leaders, and representatives from minority communities, reaffirming their commitment to equality and interfaith harmony in Pakistan.