By Our Correspondent
LONDON: Punjab’s Minister for Minority Affairs and President of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, held a significant meeting with Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UK, Dr Mohammad Faisal, in London.
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The meeting focused on matters concerning the Pakistani Sikh diaspora in the UK, visa facilitation, religious tourism, investment prospects, and the promotion of Punjab Government’s minority-friendly policies at the international level.
Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora proposed the organization of roadshows by the UK-based Sikh diaspora to promote Sikh religious tourism in Pakistan. He emphasized that these roadshows would highlight the progressive steps taken by the Punjab government, especially under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, to safeguard and empower religious minorities, particularly the Sikh community. He stated that Pakistan offers equal rights to minorities and that the hospitality extended to Sikh pilgrims is both a cultural tradition and a matter of state policy.
During the meeting, several key points were discussed in detail, as Improvement in visa facilitation for Sikh pilgrims residing in the UK, including the establishment of special counters and support centers, restoration and development of 40 historic gurdwaras in Punjab and plans to produce documentary video series to showcase their heritage globally; enhancing the Kartarpur Corridor with modern facilities, and the proposal to establish five-star hotels in Kartarpur and Nankana Sahib to ease accommodation issues faced by international Sikh pilgrims; encouraging the Sikh diaspora’s investment in religious tourism, heritage, and social welfare projects in Pakistan; strengthening direct engagement between the Pakistani Ambassador and the Sikh diaspora in the UK for better facilitation and communication; Promoting awareness about Punjab Government’s ongoing initiatives for minorities including scholarships, employment opportunities, and representation programs.
Dr Faisal appreciated the measures taken under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s leadership for the protection of minority rights and the restoration of religious sites. He lauded the Sikh community’s contributions and their deep-rooted connection to Pakistan, assuring full diplomatic support. The Ambassador also affirmed that the embassy would take practical steps to improve visa services for Sikh pilgrims and the wider diaspora.
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