Delegation of American consulate consist on political & economic chief Barry H. Junker and political & economic specialist Sadaf Saad called on Provincial Minister HR&MA Ijaz Alam Augustine here at New Minister Block’s office on Monday to promote good working relationship regarding religious freedom, interfaith dialogue and respect. During the meeting Barry H. Junker emphasized the importance on religious freedom, the protection of religious minorities, and respect. 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. In response of various questions from the delegation, the minister Ijaz Alam Augustine briefed about the measures taken by the Punjab Government for the minorities and said that government of Punjab believed in the dignity and fair treatment of every person; their protection in accordance with the law and everyone should be able to fully participate in the economic, political and social activities. He said that Punjab Government is committed to translate the human rights principles enshrined in the constitution into legislation with the robust institutional mechanism. He also briefed about Minorities empowerment package, will help marginalized religious communities of Punjab and the package included 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 30 million Rupees 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.
