KP Governor Promises Early Completion of Minority Rights Legislation at Guru Nanak Anniversary
Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak, shown in a file photograph.
PESHAWAR — Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has promised the early completion of minority rights legislation long pending in the province, telling a ceremony at Governor House that the rights, dignity and welfare of religious minorities remain a government priority.
Kundi was addressing a gathering on Saturday marking the 557th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, where he extended greetings to the Sikh community and cut a cake to mark the occasion.
“Pakistan is a safe country for people of all faiths,” the governor said, adding that minority communities had played a vital role in the country’s development and prosperity. He said the provincial government stood shoulder to shoulder with minority communities and continued to support them despite limited financial resources.
Pending bills, including the Sikh Marriage Bill
The governor said work on all pending bills, including the Sikh Marriage Bill, should be expedited, and urged stakeholders to bring legislative matters to his attention so they could be pursued. Matters concerning the province, he said, would be taken up with the relevant authorities, while issues falling under federal jurisdiction would be discussed with the federal government.
According to Dawn, Kundi also accused the provincial government of neglecting religious minorities, saying they had an equal right to Governor House, just like other citizens. “It is not me saying this; the Quaid had stated this in his first speech while speaking about the rights of minorities in the country,” he said.
Peace and sacrifices remembered
Kundi said the Sikh community, like security personnel, police officials and politicians, had suffered because of terrorism, and that the sacrifices of the Army Public School martyrs and others who gave their lives for peace would always be remembered. He stressed that lasting peace was essential for the province’s progress, and called for children to be given sporting opportunities so they chose “pens and playgrounds instead of guns”.
Among those present were Sardar Parwinder Singh, Sunni Singh, Qari Roohullah Madni and Rizwanullah of the Human Rights Department.
