Pakistan will soon be recognised as “minorities-friendly country,” says PM Nawaz Sharif, orders renovation of Hindu Shrines

Islamabad, Jan 11, 2017: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, in a statement on Wednesday said, Pakistan will soon be recognised as a "minorities-friendly country", as he ordered the start of the renovation of Katas Raj temple complex, one the most sacred places for Hindus in the country with Muslim majority.

Pakistan is adapting a number of policies to establish the country's identity as a minority-friendly country and providing equal rights to the followers of all religions in the country, Sharif stated while speaking at the Katas Raj Temples Complex in Chakwal.

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"The day is not far when Pakistan will be recognised as a minorities-friendly country due to steps being undertaken to better the lives of minority groups," he was quoted as saying during his speech.The Prime Minister said he had advised the Pak government officials to spare no efforts in playing host to pilgrims and take measures for the protection and expansion of minorities' places of worship.

He also said he was the Prime Minister of everyone and "not just Muslims" and instructed Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) chairman Siddiqul Farooq to renovate the holy sites in the area to their original state.

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He would ensure his full backing for the construction of Baba Guru Nanak and Gandhara universities, Sharif added.

Sharif referred to historic examples to point out that it was a part of the Islamic faith to treat the majority and minorities with equal care and importance.He acknowledged the fact that Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Parsis have all been working hand-in-hand to protect the country and contribute their share to its peace, prosperity and growth.

Sharif showed up at the Katas Raj temple complex in Chakwal district near Islamabad to inaugurate the water filtration plant of Amrat Jal.

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The filtration plant has been set up at the temple's holy Amrat Jal pond and it will be a major supply of clean drinking water to the Hindu pilgrims who are visiting the place.

"The renovation should be done to restore the building to its original shape. It should be done within the one and half year of remaining tenure of my government," he mentioned in his speech.(PTI)

– prepared by Durba Mandal of NewsGram. Twitter: @dubumerang