Foreign diplomats acquainted with the practice of religious tolerance in Pakistan
23 diplomats from 21 countries, including Turkmenistan, Nepal, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Algeria, Belarus, Cameron, Ethiopia, Fiji, Madagascar, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Maldives, Mauritius, Palestine, Southern Sudan, Sudan, Sri Lanka -Lanka, Sierra Leone and Tajikistan, studying at the courses of the Academy of the Foreign Service of Pakistan, visited Monday one of the largest non-Islamic temples in Hassanabdal.
The visit to the gurdawara Panja Sahib, the center of religious and social life of the Sikh community, was organized with the aim of acquainting foreign colleagues with the situation of religious minorities in the country.
4% of the population of Pakistan are followers of Buddhism, Sikhism, Hinduism, Christianity and other religions. The authorities of the country make every effort for social and economic protection of objects of religious significance in line with policies aimed at maintaining public tolerance.
Panja Sahib (means in Punjabi an "outstretched palm") is one example of complete religious freedom and the patronage role of the government. The legend says the founder of the faith Guru Nanak visited this place. Still visible is the sacred rock with the hand print of the saint. On holidays, thousands of pilgrims gather there from all corners of the world, for the convenience of whom a special visa regime is allocated.
Chairman Evacuee trust property board (ETPB) Siddque Ul Farooq told the guests about various development projects implemented in the places of residence of religious minorities. The living is being consistently improved, and non-Muslim communities are provided with material assistance as well.
"We have established an online charity system and now anyone who wants to donate money for construction of new residential buildings can do so and the process is transparent," he said.
The appropriate steps are also being taken to consolidate interreligious equality via adoption of legal frames. So, at present, the parliament is considering a bill on marriage with specifics for the Sikh community.
