Karachi, July 25, 2024 - Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has directed the Minorities Affairs Department to utilize the Rs1 billion allocated for the financial assistance, medical treatment, scholarships, marriage assistance, natural calamity assistance, and Yatra (pilgrimage) assistance for deserving and needy people belonging to minority communities.
Chairing a meeting of the Minorities Affairs Department at the CM House, Shah emphasized the provincial government's commitment, spurred by Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, to uplift minority communities through substantial support and resources.
"The mandate of the Minorities Affairs Department is to safeguard and promote the welfare of minorities," Shah asserted, highlighting that 4,157,880 people, or 10,000 households, from minority groups are economically and socially segregated in Sindh. This includes 460,000 Christians, 3,592,500 Hindus, and 105,380 individuals from other minority communities.
Shah announced the initiation of two girls' hostels in Karachi to provide accommodation for minority girls pursuing education in the city. He also underscored the need for urgent welfare activities, including financial aid and scholarship programs, stressing the importance of utilizing the allocated Rs1 billion.
During the meeting, Shah was informed about the state's 911 religious sites, which include 734 temples, 141 churches, 23 Gurdwaras, and one Parsi place of worship. He instructed the department to expedite the repair and expansion of these religious places. Additionally, Rs366.463 million was allocated to install CCTV cameras at 253 sensitive temples and other religious sites.
MPA Mukesh Chawla, head of the 17-member Non-Muslim Welfare Committee, provided a detailed breakdown of the funds allocated for various assistance programs. This includes Rs580 million for repairs and maintenance, Rs150 million for financial assistance, Rs120 million for medical treatment, Rs50 million for scholarships, Rs50 million for marriage, Rs20 million for natural calamities, and Rs30 million for Yatra.
Chawla outlined the financial aid policy, which includes disbursements ranging from Rs5,000 to Rs15,000 for the poor and needy, up to four times a year, and one-time educational financial assistance up to Rs250,000 for deserving students. Additional funds include Rs200,000 for medical treatments, Rs50,000 for marriage assistance, and up to Rs500,000 for natural calamity-affected individuals.
Shah also approved the establishment of two hostels for underprivileged girls at Swami Narayan Mandir in Karachi, with an allocation of Rs20 million for 2024-25. Special Assistants to the CM, Rajveer Singh and Lal Chand Ukrani, highlighted funding shortfalls for various projects, prompting Shah to approve an additional Rs.600 million.
Among the identified projects requiring expedited completion are the extension of Dharamshala in Larkana, construction at Hindu Massan, rehabilitation of Hindu Massan and Kandhkot Darbar, and renovation of Gurdwara Dashmesh Darbar in Jacobabad. Shah directed the department to complete these development schemes within the year, promising additional funds if necessary.
This initiative underscores the Sindh government's commitment to improving the living conditions and welfare of minority communities in the province.
