PUNJAB:
The first-ever Minority Week is expected to commence from August 7 to 11 in Punjab.
The five-day celebration aims to honour the contributions of religious minorities to Pakistan’s social and national fabric while promoting interfaith harmony and national unity.
The events are also designed to highlight the success of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, a campaign promoting peace and stability.
According to the Punjab Department of Minority Affairs, Minority Week represents a concrete effort to promote religious tolerance, interfaith dialogue, and national cohesion by fostering meaningful engagement between followers of different faiths.
The inaugural ceremony will be held on August 7 at the historic Cathedral Church of Pakistan at Regal Chowk, Lahore.
A colourful procession aboard double-decker buses will travel through key religious and cultural landmarks, including Krishna Mandir, Gurdwara Dera Sahib, Badshahi Mosque, and the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal, culminating at Minar-e-Pakistan. A tree plantation campaign will also be launched during the opening event.
A diverse range of participants, including foreign diplomats, civil society members, representatives of welfare organisations, students, teachers, religious leaders, and members of various minority communities, are expected to take part in the festivities.
According to the official schedule, August 8 will feature an academic session at a leading university focusing on minority rights and their social contributions.
On August 9, a seminar on interfaith harmony will be held at Alhamra Hall, Lahore, featuring notable religious scholars, civil society representatives, students, and researchers.
The Sports Board Punjab will host a Sports Day on August 10, bringing together youth from minority communities for various traditional and competitive games.
The celebrations will conclude on August 11 with a closing ceremony at Aiwan-e-Iqbal in connection with National Minorities Day.
The final event will be attended by Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, members of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, foreign dignitaries, senior government officials, religious leaders, and students and faculty from prominent educational institutions.
