Substantial funds earmarked for cemeteries of minorities: minister

LAHORE
Provincial Minister for Minorities Affairs and Human Rights Khalil Tahir Sandhu has said that substantial funds have been allocated in the budget for the cemeteries of minorities. He said that a Christian cemetery will be developed in Lahore under a pilot project.
He was addressing a meeting of the Minority Advisory Council on Thursday. Members Punjab Assembly belonging to Minorities Mary Gill, Shehzad Munshi, Kanji Ram, Shakeel Ivon, Archbishop Sebastian Shaw, Bishop of Lahore Irfan Jamil, Bishop Joseph Arshad, Principal Kinnaird College Rukhsana David, Amarnath, Anika Maria Advocate, Mushtaq Gill, Peter Jacob, Javed William, Imran Joseph, Mrs. Rufin Julius and others were present.
Coordinator MPA Mary Gill gave details of the agenda. Khalil Tahir Sandhu said that a substantial amount of one billion rupees has been allocated in the current budget for the rehabilitation and repair of cemeteries. He said the minority advisory council has been set up for resolving the problems being faced by minorities and with the consultation of its members a number of solid measures have been taken for the welfare and uplift of minorities.
He said the work is also in progress on Christian and Hindu Marriage Act. He said the consultations with the Law Department have been completed over the Hindu Marriage Act and Hindu Marriage Bill will be presented in the next session of the Punjab Assembly. Khalil Tahir Sandhu said the educational syllabus is being revised for the promotion of harmony and brotherhood. He said the monitoring of the implementation of five percent quota for minorities in government jobs is being ensured. Mary Gill stressed the need for skills training of minority women under the women package and suggested to evolve a strategy with a consultation to mobilise 2,500 minority women. Hindu Member Assembly Kangi Ram welcomed the Hindu Marriage Act and stressed the need for setting up crematories for Hindus in Rahimyar Khan and other areas of Hindu population.