http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-13-19231-Raja-urges-interfaith-harmony-better-Sikh-Muslim-ties
Addressing a seminar and a gathering of Sikh community from Pakistan in connection with the 544th birthday of Baba Guru Nanak, the PM said Pakistan was home to many sacred places belonging to Sikhs and that is a pride for the Pakistani people. Main participants and speakers of the seminar, organised by Diyal Singh Research and Cultural Forum, included Punjab Governor Sardar Latif Khosa, Evacuee Trust Property Board Chairman Syed Asif Hashmi, Federal Minister and President of PPP Lahore Samina Khalid Ghurki, State Minister Akram Masih Gill, elders of Sikh community including Sardar Jang Bahadur Singh, Sardar Resham Singh, Sardar Manmohan Singh and others.
During the seminar, Sikh leaders demanded simplifying visa procedure and increasingquota of Yatrees’ visa. The PM praised the life and teachings of Baba Guru Nanak and said that he was a great peace-lover. He said Islam also calls for justice, equality for all and promote peace, love. He said most common belief between the two sides is on the issue of Oneness of God and it was important to strengthen our relations further.
Raja said Muslims and Sikh of the region share similar values and cultural heritage. About visa complaints, the PM asked ETPB chairman to look into the matter. Regarding the steps taken by the PPP government to safeguard the rights of minorities, Raja said his government had also set up a separate Ministry for National Harmony with a view of facilitating the minorities, addressing their complaints.
Sardar Manmohan Singh Khalsa, a noted Sikh leader, aspired for friendly, durable ties between India and Pakistan. He stated that both sides should resolve their disputed issues through dialogue and asserted sincere efforts were needed for that.
Later on, PM Raja Pervaiz Ashraf announced setting up a passport office in Shahdara on the request of ETPB Chairman and PPP ticket-holder from NA-118 Syed Asif Hashmi. Hashmi said the PPP government believed in empowering and facilitating masses.
Agencies add: Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said the PPP-led government was committed to protecting the rights of minority communities living in Pakistan.Meanwhile, Punjab Governor Sardar Latif Khosa and Federal Minister for Climate Change Rana Farooq Saeed Khan met the PM separately on Sunday. They discussed matters pertaining to law and order, and administrative affairs as well as overall political situation in Punjab.
The minister briefed the PM about Pakistan’s participation in the international conference on environment to be held in Doha (Qatar) on December 5. Earlier, PM Raja arrived in Lahore Sunday morning. On his arrival at the airport he was received by Federal Minister for National Heritage and Integration Samina Khalid Ghurki, Punjab Governor Sardar Latif Khosa, Haji Azizur Rehman Chan and Punjab Minister Ch Abdul Ghafoor.
