LAHORE: Governor Punjab Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar has ordered to chalk out a master plan to develop and renovate Christian holy sites in Maryamabad.
During a visit to Maryamabad along with Provincial Minister Ijaz Alam Augustine today, the governor urged the need to prepare a master plan for Maryamabad with a view to turning the holy site into an international attraction for the Christian pilgrims.
Sarwar also assured to intervene and ordered the federal government departments for the provision of electricity and gas in Maryamabad.
The Governor Punjab announced the immediate installation of a filtration plant at Maryamabad Church and ordered to expedite construction of road from Sheikhupura Road to Maryamabad at a cost of Rs 66 million.
He said, “There is a need to develop facilities for the Christian pilgrims and provide them better accommodation to the religious tourists”.
پاکستانی اقلیتوں کےمقدس مقامات کا تحفظ حکومت کا فرض ہے۔عیسائی برادری کےلئے مریم آباد شیخوپورہ میں زیارت مقدس مریم کی تزئین و آرائش،فلٹریشن پلانٹ لگانے کی منظوری دےدی ہے۔پاکستان اقلیتی حقوق کا محافظ ہے۔بھارت میں اقلیتوں کےساتھ جو کچھ ہو رہا ہے وہ ساری دنیا کےسامنےہے۔ #Minorities pic.twitter.com/3Npe4cPJ2G
— Mohammad Sarwar (@ChMSarwar) January 12, 2021
Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar believes the preservation of Christian, Sikh, Hindu and Buddhist sites could earn the country a soft image besides empowering the minorities.
Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar was briefed that more than 1.2 million pilgrims visit the shrine of the holy Mary (Ziarat-e-Muqadas Maryam), every year while the provision of basic facilities for tourists will increase the number of visitors.
He said protection of life and property of minorities and their religious holy sites is the responsibility of the government and the PTI government has fulfilled its responsibility successfully.
Governor Punjab Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar said Pakistan is the safest country for minorities where sayings of Father of the Nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah regarding minorities implemented in letter and spirit.
