Harmony News: Pak Punjab Assembly gets first Sikh Member

[GFCH (India)]

Pak's Punjab Province Assembly Gets First Sikh Member
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Courtesy: outlookindia.com, June 02, 2013
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In a historic milestone for the Sikhs in Pakistan, Sardar Ramesh Singh
Arora has become the first person from the minority community to enter
the Punjab province assembly, since the country's independence in
1947.

Arora belongs to Narowal district, 80 km from Lahore, and is
associated with the Pakistan Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee.

He took oath along with 340 other lawmakers during the first session
of the new Punjab Assembly yesterday.

He was nominated to a seat reserved for minority communities by the
PML-N, which has formed governments in Punjab and at the centre after
its victory in the May 11 polls.

Arora came to the assembly wearing a white shalwar-kameez and a
saffron turban.

"It's a festive occasion for which I have got stitched a special
waistcoat, shalwar-kameez and turban," he told reporters.

"June 1 will be remembered as a special day as it brought a triumph to
the local Sikh community and other minorities living peacefully in
Pakistan," he said.

"As the first Sikh to take oath as a lawmaker in the Punjab Assembly
since 1947, I am absolutely delighted to be part of this august house.
The position certainly comes with a lot of responsibility. I will not
only be representing my own community but all minorities in the
province," he said.

Arora said he would work to rehabilitate historical and religious
sites of the Sikhs.

"Sites sacred to other religions will also be restored through the
Evacuee Trust Property Board," he said.

The reform of the Pakistan Gurudwara Prabhandhak Committee was
underway and the body will be made more effective and efficient, he
said.

"I will do the best I can to serve minorities. That is my aim and my
party's policy," he added.

Arora praised senior PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal for taking interest in
inducting him in the Punjab Assembly. Iqbal represents Narowal in the
parliament.

Media reports described Arora's induction as a member of the
provincial assembly as a "historic milestone for the Sikh community".

Several lawmakers and officials welcomed him when he arrived at the
assembly and shook hands with him.

Some of Arora's relatives and friends came to the assembly to watch
him taking oath.
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