LAHORE, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 14th Aug, 2026) The 80th Independence Day of Pakistan was celebrated with national zeal and enthusiasm at the Human Rights and Minority Affairs Department under the leadership of Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora.
Secretary Human Rights and Minority Affairs Dr Usman Ali Khan, along with officers and employees of the department, participated in the ceremony.
Provincial Minister Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora hoisted the national flag at the department. Following the flag-hoisting ceremony, the atmosphere echoed with enthusiastic slogans of “Pakistan Zindabad”, as participants renewed their resolve to work for the security, progress and prosperity of the country.
Addressing the ceremony, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora congratulated the entire nation on Independence Day on behalf of himself and the Human Rights and Minority Affairs Department. He said Pakistan was the realization of the dream of Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal and the result of the tireless struggle of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
The provincial minister said the creation of Pakistan was the fulfilment of the dream of an independent, sovereign and peaceful state. Today, he added, there was a need to further strengthen this noble objective by promoting unity, tolerance and national cohesion.
He said Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s vision was that true freedom was reflected through the protection of human rights, safeguarding the rights of minorities and promoting interfaith harmony.
Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora said protection of the rights of minority communities and provision of equal opportunities to them were among the priorities of the Punjab government.
He said the role of minority communities in Pakistan’s development and prosperity was a matter of pride, adding that their services to the country were highly valued.
Speaking about national security, the provincial minister paid tribute to Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, saying that both had raised Pakistan’s stature at the international level. He appreciated the efforts of the present leadership to strengthen the country’s national prestige and defence.
Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora said Pakistan’s strong defence was important not only for its own security but also for regional peace and stability. He added that Pakistan’s strong defence also guaranteed the defence of Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
He said Pakistan had always attached great importance to strong and fraternal relations with brotherly Muslim countries.
The provincial minister said interfaith harmony, tolerance, protection of human rights and equal opportunities for all citizens were the foundations of a strong, peaceful and prosperous Pakistan. Independence Day, he added, reminded the nation that the development and stability of the country was not only the responsibility of the government but a shared responsibility of every citizen.
He urged the nation to rise above differences and unite for Pakistan’s development, prosperity and stability. He called upon citizens to play their role in nation-building in the light of the principles of Quaid-e-Azam and the teachings of Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
