LAHORE, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 3rd Sep, 2026) Ambassador of Ireland Mary O’Neill met Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora on Thursday and discussed measures for social protection of minorities, economic empowerment, religious harmony, human rights and promotion of interfaith cooperation in Punjab.
Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora briefed the Irish Ambassador on government initiatives under the Punjab Minority Card and said the card is an important step towards social protection and economic empowerment of minority communities. He said the initiative aims to make minority families economically stable and empowered.
The provincial minister said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, six major minority religious festivals are being celebrated at the official level for the first time in the history of Punjab. He said the Punjab government is taking practical measures to ensure greater inclusion of minorities in the mainstream and provide them equal opportunities for development.
Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora said restoration and preservation of historic religious and interfaith heritage sites is also a key priority of the Punjab government.
He said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has allocated Rs4 billion for the development and rehabilitation of minority areas and graveyards.
He said special measures are being taken to create economic opportunities for minorities, ensure their participation in the development process and improve their standard of living. The Punjab government is also taking comprehensive steps to promote religious harmony and interfaith tolerance.
Ambassador Mary O’Neill appreciated Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s minority-friendly initiatives and said her efforts to make minority communities stable, prosperous and empowered are commendable.
The meeting also discussed enhanced cooperation in the fields of human rights, religious harmony and inclusive development. Both sides expressed their commitment to protecting minority rights and further strengthening interfaith relations.
Secretary Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Dr. Usman Ali Khan, CEO Agahi Mubarak Ali Sarwar and Carolina Foley of the Embassy of Ireland also attended the meeting.
