The World Bank President Ajay Pal Singh Banga visited the Gurudwara Sri Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal. Federal Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Provincial Minister and Pradhan of the Pakistan Sikh Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora accompanied the World Bank President on his trip to the Gurudwara.
Upon the arrival at Gurudwara Sri Panja Sahib, the Additional Secretary Shrines of the Evacuee Trust Property Board Nasir Mushtaq, along with the Administrator Rawalpindi, welcomed and gave him a warm welcome. The chief guest offered the World Bank President Ajay Pal Singh Banga offered special prayers at the Gurudwara and later had a meal at the Langar Hall.
Provincial Minister Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, speaking on the occasion, said that the visit of the World Bank President to Gurudwara Sri Panja Sahib has sent a positive message across the world regarding the efforts of peace. He stated that followers of all religions in Pakistan are enjoying complete religious freedom and the protection of sacred places of minorities is the top priority of the government.
Additional Secretary Shrines Nasir Mushtaq said that the Evacuee Trust Property Board makes excellent arrangements for Sikh pilgrims visiting from across the globe to their religious sites in Pakistan to ensure they face no difficulties. He added that the Sikh pilgrims who visit Pakistan from India as well as other countries leave the country with the message of love and tolerance. Nasir Mushtaq further stated that in accordance with the directives of the Federal Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board, the renovation and restoration work is taking place at the historic religious sites.
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He said that the property board is also spending substantial funds on the renovation, restoration and management of Gurdwaras across Pakistan. Pakistan is the birthplace of the Sikh faith and it is a desire of the Pakistan that Sikh pilgrims from around the world will visit the country in greater numbers and visit and witness how the sacred places of worships are being taken care of.
Meanwhile, the World Bank President arrived on Sunday in Pakistan for a high-profile visit that will continue until February 4. He is expected to meet the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Finance, Energy, and Economic Affairs. He will be briefed on key economic reforms, initiatives and developments taken by Pakistan in these meetings.
The inside sources claims that Pakistan can witness a progress on the implementation of a 10-year country partnership framework with the World Bank, under which the World Bank plans to provide $1.20 billion to Pakistan in financial support till 2035.
