Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced a set of measures aimed at easing religious practices and expanding welfare support for minority communities, including exempting Sikh motorcyclists from the helmet requirement and increasing the scope of the Punjab Minority Card scheme.
Sikh riders exempted from helmet requirement
Speaking at a Christmas ceremony held at Cathedral Church, the chief minister said Sikh riders would be exempt from the motorcycle helmet law due to the religious obligation of wearing a turban, which makes helmet use impractical.
She said the decision was taken to respect religious practices while ensuring that minority communities feel accommodated and protected under provincial laws.
Minority Card scheme expanded
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also announced the expansion of the Minority Card scheme, increasing the number of beneficiaries from 75,000 to 100,000. The programme provides financial assistance to members of minority communities across the province.
She said government welfare initiatives were designed to be inclusive and were not based on religious identity.
Assurance of protection for minorities
Addressing the gathering, the chief minister said the safety and rights of minorities were a key measure of good governance. She warned that any individual involved in harming minorities or violating their rights would face strict action by the state.
She also directed authorities to take immediate steps to address longstanding issues related to burial grounds for minority communities in Punjab.
Call for inclusive governance
Maryam Nawaz said an inclusive and minority-friendly Punjab should be a shared goal for all citizens, adding that protecting minorities was a collective responsibility of society, particularly the Muslim majority.
She reiterated the provincial government’s commitment to standing with minority communities and ensuring equal access to protection and public services.
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Input from Dunya News
