Punjab Minister for Information & Culture Mian Aslam Iqbal inaugurated the Sikh era artefacts exhibition here at the Lahore Museum on Thursday. This exhibition has been arranged in connection with the 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak. A section of the museum has also been renamed as Sikh Gallery and the sacred book of the Sikh community Guru Granth Sahib was also recited on the occasion.
Provincial Minister Aslam Iqbal extended heartiest congratulations to the Sikh community on the birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak and welcomed them on behalf of the people and governments of Punjab and Pakistan.
It is the first occasion that such an important ceremony was arranged in this museum where Sikh era artefacts are displayed for the Sikh visitors, he added.
Mian Aslam Iqbal termed opening of Kartarpur Corridor as an important as well as historic occasion and welcomed the Sikh visitors coming from across the globe.
Talking to the media-men, Mian Aslam Iqbal said that the religion of Islam has given the right of living to all the minorities according to their religion and added that constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan has also given this freedom to the minorities to perform their religious ceremonies. We are proud that minorities are enjoying equal rights in Pakistan, he added.
The minister said that the Sikh community has given a strong message to the world by raising their voice in favour of oppressed Kashmiris.
He added that development works of the Kartarpur Corridor has been completed with speed and best security arrangements have been made on the occasion of birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak. Security agencies are fully vigilant and active, he added.
He said it is the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan to promote religious tourism as it will help to improve the national economy besides giving a positive message to the Sikh community. Opening of Kartarpur Corridor is an important step towards the promotion of religious tourism, he added.
Replying to a question, he said that dialogue is underway between Rehbar committee and the negotiation team and it is hoped that matters would be settled soon. To another question, he termed burning of crops residue as a form of environmental terrorism adding that international laws are being blatantly violated in India by doing so.
He urged upon the international environmental organizations to take immediate notice of it. Punjab chief minister has also directed to take immediate steps in this regard, concluded the minister. Secretary Information Raja Jahangir Anwar and a large number of people belonging to the Sikh community were present on the occasion.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2019