Landmark move : Sikh Marriage Act all set for Punjab cabinet’s nod
Community will soon be able to register marriages legally in Punjab
LAHORE:
Almost three years after its passage, the Sikh Marriages Act, landmark legislation that provides legal status to Sikh marriages in Punjab, is all set to receive the provincial cabinet’s approval.
Moved by Punjab’s first Sikh lawmaker, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, the bill that paved the way for Sikh marriages to be legally recognized in the province was passed unanimously in 2018. However, objections raised by the Akal Takht, one of five seats of power of the Sikhs and other members of the community, delayed the final endorsement by the provincial cabinet.
LAHORE: The International Human Rights Day was observed in Punjab at different levels on Thursday.
The Provincial Department of the Ministry of Human Rights and Minority marked the day with a simple ceremony at the Governor House, with only a handful of people attending because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Provincial minister HR&MA Ijaz Alam Augustine, parliamentary secretary Human Rights Mahinder Pal Singh, MNA Jamshaid Thompson, MPA Haroon Imran Gill, head of Unique Group of Colleges Prof Amjad Ali Khan, political and religious leaders, and representatives of civil society were present at the event.
The Director of the HR department Mohammad Yousaf highlighted the importance of the International Day of Human Rights and Secretary Nadeem-u-Rehman briefed on measures taken by the department for the betterment of the religious minorities. However, the department officials spoke mostly on the topic of atrocities that were taking place in Kashmir, and condemned it.