Lahore: On the direction of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Government of Punjab will observe National Minority Week from August 7 to 11, with events focused on promoting interfaith harmony, religious tolerance, social inclusion, and the protection of minority rights across the province. According to Directorate General Public Relation – Govt of Punjab, Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora chaired a meeting to review final arrangements for the week-long program, which was attended by Secretary Human Rights and Minority Affairs Dr. Usman Ali Khan and other senior officials.
The minister announced that National Minority Week will commence on Thursday with an Interfaith Harmony Rally in Lahore. The rally will feature visits to major places of worship and will include participation from religious leaders, youth representatives, members of civil society, parliamentarians, and government officials. Public speaking and cinematography competitions are scheduled for August 8 at the University of the Punjab, where top participants will receive cash prizes. On August 9, the Walled City of Lahore Authority, in collaboration with the department, will host a “Photo Walk and History by Night” program to highlight Lahore’s religious heritage.
On August 11, free medical, nutrition support, and NADRA registration camps will be set up in Youhanabad and Bahar Colony, providing medicines, diagnostic services, health check-ups for women and children, and mobile registration facilities. The week will conclude on August 11 with the National Minorities Day ceremony at the Expo Centre Lahore. During the ceremony, the government will launch the Safeer Programme, distribute assistance cheques to minority community members, present Human Rights Awards, and hand out commemorative souvenirs.
Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora stated that the observance of National Minority Week demonstrates the Punjab government’s commitment to promoting equal rights, religious freedom, and interfaith harmony, in alignment with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s vision. He expressed confidence that the initiative would further enhance mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and national unity across the province.