03/09/2026
Minister for Minorities Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora held a high-level meeting with Irish Ambassador Mary O’Neill in Lahore to discuss minority welfare, social protection, economic empowerment, human rights and interfaith harmony.
The Minister briefed the Ambassador on the Punjab Minority Card, the provincial government’s initiative to empower deserving families, and the historic celebration of six major religious festivals at the provincial level under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
He also highlighted the allocation of Rs. 4 billion for the development and rehabilitation of minority areas and cemeteries, alongside ongoing efforts to preserve and restore historic religious and interfaith heritage sites.
The meeting was attended by Secretary Human Rights & Minorities Affairs Dr. Usman Ali Khan, CEO Agahe Mubarak Ali Sarwar, and Carolina Foley from the Embassy of Ireland.
Ambassador Mary O’Neill appreciated Punjab’s minority-friendly initiatives and commended the government’s efforts towards empowerment, inclusion and welfare.
The meeting reaffirmed a shared commitment to human rights, interfaith harmony, equal opportunities and inclusive development. 🇵🇰🇮🇪