TAXILA: Future diplomats from 21 countries have lauded the government’s efforts for the better upkeep and preservation of places of religious significance to different faiths in Pakistan.

Future diplomats from various countries are participating in the 25th junior diplomatic course for foreign diplomats at the Foreign Services Academy and were visiting the Gurdwara Punja Sahib in Hassanabdal on Monday.

These 23 diplomats are from 21 countries including two each from Nepal and Nigeria and one from Afghanistan, Belarus, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Fiji, Madagascar, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Maldives, Mauritius, Palestine, South Sudan, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sierra Leone, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

Speaking to the participants, Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Chairman Siddiqul Farooq said Pakistan was making efforts for the upkeep and preservation of buildings of importance in various faiths and to ensure religious freedom despite challenges in the financial and social sectors.

He also briefed them about the history and importance of the Gurdwara Punja Sahib and said religious minorities in Pakistan had complete freedom to practice their religion. He said various holy days were observed under state patronage.

Mr Farooq told them about the various development projects launched for the upkeep and provision of different facilities especially welfare, boarding and lodging at various religious places across the countries.

A documentary was also shown to the future diplomats on the various projects over the last three years for the upkeep of religious places and the ETPB chairman said more residential rooms will be built in the gurdwara as well.

“We have established an online charity system and now anyone who wants to donate money for the construction of new residential buildings can do so online and the process is transparent,” he said.

Talking to newsmen, ETPB Deputy Secretary Shrines Imran Gondal said such visits to places of worship of minorities show the rich cultural heritage of the world and also promotes a soft image of the country.

The junior diplomats visited various sections of the Sikh temple and were shown the rock which has the handprint of Baba Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion, and the langar khana.

Representatives of the Sikh community presented Saropas, or shawls of religious honour, to the visiting trainee diplomats as a gesture of goodwill.

Published in Dawn, December 12th, 2017