DLP Report
SWAT
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Auqaf and Religious Affairs Mohammad Adnan Qadri has inaugurated a newly constructed church and crematorium in Barikot, Swat, saying the provincial government is committed to providing adequate facilities to minority communities for worship and performance of religious rites.
The provincial minister visited Swat and reviewed ongoing development projects related to auqaf, religious and minority affairs, besides visiting various religious sites.
During the visit, Swat Deputy Commissioner Salim Jan Marwat briefed the minister on ongoing development projects, administrative matters and other initiatives related to auqaf in the district. Parliamentarians Fazal Hakeem, Akhtar Khan, Naeem Khan and Sultan Room were also present.
The minister was briefed on the progress of various projects being implemented under the Auqaf Department, ongoing construction work and facilities being provided to the public.
Mr Qadri directed the relevant authorities to ensure quality in ongoing projects and complete them within the stipulated time so that facilities could be provided to the public and visitors without delay.
During his visit, the minister also inaugurated a church in Mingora and said the KP government was taking practical measures to protect the religious rights of citizens belonging to all faiths, safeguard places of worship and provide them with basic facilities.
He said minority communities were an integral part of the province and their welfare was among the government’s priorities.
The minister later visited the Saidu Sharif shrine and inspected development work being carried out there at a cost of around Rs100 million. He reviewed the quality and progress of the construction work and directed officials to complete the project according to prescribed standards while keeping the convenience of visitors and the historical and religious significance of the site in view.
During the final leg of his visit, Mr Qadri inaugurated the newly constructed church and crematorium in Barikot, Swat. He said the government was ensuring appropriate facilities for minority communities to perform their religious rites in a safe and dignified environment.
Mr Qadri said the government would continue efforts to promote interfaith harmony, religious freedom and equal rights for all citizens in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He directed the authorities to regularly monitor ongoing projects concerning auqaf and religious sites and ensure transparency, quality and timely completion of schemes undertaken in the public interest.
