Maryam Nawaz announces helmet exemption for Sikhs

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Thursday announced that the Sikh community has been exempted from the motorcycle helmet law owing to their religious practice of wearing turbans.

She said the decision was taken to respect their identity and to address the practical difficulties they face in using helmets over turbans.

Addressing a Christmas ceremony at the Cathedral Church in Lahore, the chief minister extended Christmas greetings to Christians and announced that the number of minority cards would be increased from 75,000 to 100,000.

She also directed immediate measures to resolve graveyard land issues facing minority communities across the province.

Maryam Nawaz said that Punjab had truly “placed minorities as a crown on its head,” stressing that the success of any government was measured by how safe its minorities were.

She warned that anyone who attempted to harm minorities or deprive them of their rights would face the full strength of the state.

The chief minister said making Punjab a minority-friendly province should be the dream of every citizen of Pakistan, adding that a greater responsibility rested on Muslims as they were in the majority.

She said cities across Punjab were decorated for Christmas, “Merry Christmas” was displayed at various locations, and a large Christmas tree and Santa Claus were installed at Liberty Chowk.

Maryam Nawaz said that minorities had made significant contributions in all walks of life, including the judiciary, armed forces, health and education sectors.

“A civilised society is defined by justice and the protection of minorities,” she said, adding that she tried to base every decision on justice and humanity.

Quoting the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him), she said that anyone who committed injustice against minorities would find him standing as a witness on behalf of the oppressed.

She said that under initiatives such as the Dhee Rani Programme, ration card, Hunarmand scholarship and Kisan Card, no citizen was asked about their religion.

She recalled that a Christian student named Maryam received a scholarship and said the incident moved her to tears.

“Our joys and sorrows are shared, and hand in hand we will prove that we are one,” she remarked.

Maryam Nawaz said the budget for minorities had been increased by 600 per cent and reiterated that minorities had an equal right over Punjab’s resources. She said workers of the “Suthra Punjab” programme were also providing services in churches ahead of Christmas celebrations.

Reaffirming her commitment, the chief minister said Punjab was a safer place for minorities and assured that as long as she remained chief minister, no minority in the province would be subjected to injustice.

“If any member of a minority community is wronged, Maryam Nawaz Sharif will stand like a wall of steel,” she said, adding that any government that failed to defend minorities “should go home.”