PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has taken what it described as a significant step toward protecting the rights of minority communities by providing four kanals of land in Dera Ismail Khan for cremation grounds for the Hindu and Sikh communities.
According to the spokesperson for the Office of the Minister for Auqaf, Hajj, Religious and Minority Affairs, Provincial Minister Sahibzada Muhammad Adnan Qadri formally handed over two kanals of land to the Hindu community and two kanals to the Sikh community.
Speaking on the occasion, the provincial minister said that protecting religious freedom and safeguarding the rights of minorities remain among the government’s top priorities. He said minority communities are a respected part of society and are entitled to equal rights. He added that the government is taking practical steps to promote justice, equality and religious tolerance in line with the principles of the State of Madina.
Adnan Qadri said that millions of rupees are being spent on minority places of worship, religious festivals and welfare projects. He added that educational scholarships for minority students, as well as financial assistance for widows, orphans and persons with disabilities from minority communities, are also being provided.
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The provincial minister further said that an endowment fund of Rs200 million has been established for the rehabilitation of minority communities affected by terrorism, while a special fund of Rs100 million has been allocated for the development of the Kalash community.
He said work is also underway to provide land for minority cemeteries, cremation grounds and places of worship, as well as for the solarization and restoration of places of worship. According to him, provincial- and district-level committees are actively working to promote interfaith harmony, while additional measures will be taken to safeguard the social, educational, economic and religious rights of minority communities.
Meanwhile, representatives of the Hindu and Sikh communities described the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s initiative as historic and welcomed the decision, expressing their gratitude to the government.
