-Discusses proposals on aviation services with UK-based company
-Directs financial assistance for uplift of fishermen
By Ajmal Khan Yousafzai
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday felicitated the Sikh community on the 551st birth anniversary of Baba Dev Guru Nanak, saying the rights of all religious minorities in the country would be safeguarded.
The prime minister, in his video message, assured the Sikh community that the government would fully protect their holy sites in Pakistan, including the two most sacred ones of Nankana Sahib and Katarpur.
Both the sites were as sacred to Sikhs as Makkah and Madina for the Muslims, he added.
Imran Khan said the government would extend every possible assistance and facility to the Sikh community members, citing the recently revamped railways station of Hassan Abdal to facilitate the pilgrims intending to visit the holy Punja Sahib.
The prime minister said all religious sites in the country would be given protection.
“The policy of our government is to protect all religious minorities in Pakistan and also their holy places, may it churches, temples or Buddhist monasteries.”
The three-day celebrations of the birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak began on Saturday in Nankana Sahib with the arrival of over 600 Sikh pilgrims from India through the Wagah border.
The main ceremony of the celebrations took place at Gurdwara Janamasthan in Nankana Sahib. The celebrations also included the Nagar Kirtan procession, followed by the Bhog ritual at night.
The prime minister last year had opened the Kartarpur Corridor on the 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak, as a goodwill gesture to facilitate Sikhs within the country and from across the border.
Meanwhile on Monday, Mr Khan directed provision of financial assistance to fishermen besides taking steps for their uplift.
The prime minister stated this in a meeting with Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Haider Zaidi, who gave an update on the overall situation of ports in the country.
The meeting also discussed extending soft loans to fishermen under the Kamyab Jawan Programme.
The situation of Karachi metropolitan also came under discussion.
UK-based company discussed proposals on aviation services with PM: Phillip Joeining, Executive Chairman of John Menzies called on Prime Minister here on Monday and discussed various proposals regarding promotion of linkages between aviation, airport services and tourism.
The prime minister appreciated thee interest shown by international firms for establishment of tourism services in Pakistan.
Prime Minister Imran Khan said Pakistan was blessed with abundant sites that could be developed into world class attractions in an eco-friendly and sustainable manner.
The proposals regarding establishment of skiing facilities and mountaineering were also discussed.
Special Assistant to PM Syed Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari was present during the meeting.
John Menzies is the holding company of Menzies Aviation, an aviation services business based in Edinburgh, Scotland, providing ground handling, cargo handling, cargo forwarding and into-plane fueling.
