By Our Correspondent
LAHORE —In a significant move to strengthen the protection of human rights and promote minority inclusion in Punjab, Ramesh Singh Arora, Minister for Minorities and Human Rights, hosted a high-level meeting with a delegation from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) at his camp office in Lahore.
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The UNDP delegation included Kamran Rajar (National Technical Specialist), Sadia Bangash (Project Analyst), and Madiha Fareed (Provincial Human Rights Officer). Secretary HR&MA Mr. Ali Bahadur, Additional Secretary Rizwana Naveed, and Shahid Rehmat, Executive Director of the Youth Development Foundation (YDF) were also present in the meeting.
The discussions focused on adopting a comprehensive, human rights-based approach to policy development, institutional capacity building, and inclusive governance across Punjab.
Minister Ramesh Singh Arora briefed the delegation on several key initiatives launched under the leadership of Chief Minister Punjab, Maryam Nawaz. “Under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, we are working toward building an inclusive Punjab where every citizen regardless of faith can live with dignity and equal opportunity,” said the Minister. “Our initiatives include strengthening the legal framework for minority rights, upgrading places of worship, and launching grassroots interfaith dialogue platforms.” He also highlighted recent efforts such as the establishment of the districts committee, Minority advisory council Punjab and youth-centered human rights education programs.
The UNDP delegation appreciated the proactive approach of the Punjab government. Kamran Rajar remarked, “We commend the leadership of Minister Arora and the Punjab government for prioritizing human rights and minority inclusion. This collaboration is a meaningful step forward toward sustainable development and peacebuilding.” Sadia Bangash underscored the importance of data-driven policy and inclusive dialogue. “UNDP is committed to supporting provincial efforts that align with international human rights standards and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” she stated.
Both sides expressed optimism about sustained collaboration to ensure that human rights are safeguarded and celebrated as a core value in Punjab’s social and democratic fabric.
At the conclusion of the meeting, commemorative shields were presented to the UNDP delegation by Minister Ramesh Singh Arora as a gesture of goodwill and mutual commitment.
