Provincial Minister HR&MA Ijaz Alam Augustine has said that Punjab government is committed to translate the human rights principles enshrined in the constitution. He was talking to a delegation of American consulate consist on political & economic chief Barry H. Junker and political & economic specialist Sadaf Saad here on Monday at civil secretariat.

The minister further said that empowerment package for the minorities would help marginalized religious communities of Punjab and the package includes the implementation of minorities' quota for jobs and education, system for the remission of sentences, Skill development training, minority quota in Naya Pakistan Housing scheme and introduction of religious education in the school of minorities.

He said that the government is also keen on chalking out a policy for construction of worship places of minorities and Punjab government has allocated a grant of Rs30 million for the Christian community.

The minister also recorded his protest against brutality in Kashmir, said on 5th August 2019 the Indian government had taken an aggressive step in Kashmir, ignoring all the UN resolutions, and violated the special status of Kashmir, which was originally proposed by the Indian Prime Minister. He also emphasized on the delegation to perform their proactive role for the freedom of innocent Kashmiris.

Delegation assured provincial minister to perform their full cooperation to protect human rights and resolve the issue of Kashmir. At the end of the meeting provincial minister presented a book as present written by department HR&MA regarding progress of the department.

During the meeting Barry H. Junker emphasized the importance on religious freedom, the protection of minorities. He also discussed ways the United States could partner with Pakistan especially Punjab in promoting international religious freedom and inter-faith dialogue, seeking opportunities to protect persecuted Muslims, Christians, and people of other faiths. In-charge of TT Cell of Punjab Barrister Saeed Nasir briefed to the delegation about departmental progress regarding the protection of human rights. He told that HR&MA department is protecting the rights of Children, Women, transgender, disable persons, senior citizens, minorities etc and recently in a meeting with UNDP, decided to work together for the betterment of human rights.