LAHORE, Jun 16 (APP):Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs Ramesh Singh Arora has extended his heartfelt congratulations to Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif for presenting a landmark development budget of Rs. 1240 billion for the fiscal year 2025–26, the largest in the province’s history.
In a media statement on Monday, the minister said that this budget is not only a comprehensive roadmap for Punjab’s development but also a clear reflection of the Chief Minister’s visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to the welfare of marginalized communities, including minorities, women, laborers, farmers, and youth.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to inclusivity, Ramesh Singh Arora noted that a separate allocation of Rs. 4 billion for religious minorities, along with Rs. 1 billion for the Minority Card initiative, demonstrates the Chief Minister’s resolve to treat minorities as equal citizens of the state. These funds will support educational scholarships, skill development programs, preservation of religious heritage sites, and interfaith harmony initiatives.
He added that training programs would be launched for minority youth to prepare them for competitive entry into civil services, police, and other public sectors, strictly on merit. Additionally, special grants and enhanced security will be provided for major religious festivals celebrated by minority communities, including Holi, Diwali, Christmas, and Baisakhi, which he described as a progressive and inclusive move.
The minister also revealed that the Interfaith Harmony Council is being reactivated to foster religious coexistence, while a special package has been included in the budget for the renovation and upkeep of minority places of worship. New Minority Community Centers will also be established to enhance grassroots representation and support.
Ramesh Singh Arora said that the development budget stands as a true embodiment of interfaith harmony, religious tolerance, and equal rights for all. He reiterated the Punjab government’s commitment that no citizen shall be deprived on the basis of religion, color, or race.
