Last Updated: March 07, 2024, 00:38 IST
Ramesh Singh Arora along with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in an undated photo. (Image: Ramesh Arora/X handle)
Ramesh Singh Arora becomes the first Sikh minister in Punjab, Pakistan. Read about his aspirations for minority welfare and Kartarpur Corridor
A legislator from the Pakistani district of Narowal made history on Wednesday as he became the first member of the Sikh community to take oath as a minister in Punjab province, representing the minority in the provincial assembly.
Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, 48, a three-time Member Provincial Assembly (MPA) from Narowal, was sworn in as a minister in the cabinet of the newly elected Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) government led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaf Sharif, daughter of three-time former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Who Is Sardar Arora?
Arora was recently elected as the president of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (PSGPC) for three years. In an interview with The Indian Express, Arora expressed his commitment to serving not only the Sikh community but also all minorities, including Hindus and Christians, residing in Pakistan.
He underlined his plans to address the welfare of minorities, stressing the need for the implementation of legislation such as the Sikh Marriage Act and the establishment of an Interfaith Harmony Policy to ensure the safety and security of all minority groups.
Politics
Arora’s journey into politics was preceded by his work with the World Bank’s Poverty Reduction Programme in Pakistan. Despite the challenges faced by minorities in the Muslim-majority nation, including the dwindling Sikh and Hindu populations, Arora remains optimistic about the future. He envisions a Pakistan where minorities have equal opportunities and access to basic infrastructure.
Arora’s role as the head of the Pakistan Sikh Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) further underscores his commitment to representing the Sikh community. His appointment comes at a crucial time when efforts are underway to promote religious tourism and preserve cultural heritage sites, including Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib. However, his appointment was not without concerns because he is the brother-in-law of Manjit Singh Pinka, who was wanted by India for the hijacking of IC 405 from Srinagar to Lahore in 1984.
