Arora, Netherlands envoy discuss minority rights

LAHORE - Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs Ramesh Singh Arora on Friday briefed Netherlands Ambassador Robert Jan Siegert on the Punjab government's initiatives for protection and welfare of minorities as well as religious tourism and sought greater international cooperation in these sectors. The ambassador called on the provincial minister in Lahore. First Secretary Political Affairs Jorin van den Heuvel and Secretary Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Dr Usman Ali Khan also attended the meeting. During the meeting, Arora briefed the ambassador on the initiatives being undertaken under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif for the welfare, protection and socioeconomic development of minority communities in Punjab. The minister also apprised the ambassador of the government's progress regarding the National Commission for Minority Rights, as well as efforts for establishing a provincial Minority Rights Commission to strengthen institutional mechanisms for safeguarding minority rights. Arora said the provincial government was also working on ambassador programmes, capacity-building initiatives and e-learning projects for minority communities, aimed at improving access to training, education and development opportunities. The meeting also discussed the promotion of religious tourism and preservation of minority places of worship in Punjab. Major restrictions imposed on construction projects in City The minister briefed the ambassador on government initiatives concerning the protection and development of important religious sites. The Netherlands ambassador appreciated the initiatives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and the provincial minister for the welfare and protection of minorities. He offered cooperation in areas of mutual interest and assured that the Netherlands would extend support, where required, for the promotion of religious tourism. The two sides agreed to enhance international cooperation for the protection of minority rights, capacity-building and modern training programmes, as well as explore opportunities for joint initiatives in areas of mutual interest. Nation observes Quaid-e-Azam's 78th death anniversary Tags: aroranetherlandsenvoydiscuss