CM special assistant says minorities safe, free

PESHAWAR: Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Minority Affairs, Wazirzada, on Thursday said that minorities were safe in the country and free to practice their faiths.

He expressed these views while chairing a meeting on the progress of Minority Affairs Department, said a handout. Member Provincial Assembly (MPAs) Sardar Ranjit Singh, Ravi Kumar, Secretary Auqaf, Hajj, Religious and Minorities Affairs Farrakh Sair and other officials attended the meeting. The meeting was informed that under Annual Development Programme 2019-20, various developmental schemes have been initiated which include procurement of land for minority graveyards and Shamshan Ghats with an estimated cost of Rs110 million, improvement and renovation of minorities residential colonies in KP, renovation of worship places, financial assistance to minority religious scholars, provision of textbooks, uniforms and scholarships to the students of minority educational institutions and establishment of planning cell at Auqaf Department. It was also told that financial package for the welfare of minorities, construction of community-based schools for Sikhs, the celebration of religious festivals at government level, organisation of interfaith harmony conference and skills development schemes have been included in new schemes. Wazirzada directed the officials for solving the problems of minorities on a priority basis and ensuring transparency and merit in the execution of uplift schemes.