Islamabad: In a landmark move, Ramesh Singh Arora, the first Sikh who was nominated by the Pakistan Muslim League (N), was sworn in as a member of the Punjab Provincial Assembly in Lahore on Saturday.
Mr Arora has termed it an honour to be the PML (N)'s representative, adding he would now be able to raise critical issues related to the safety and well-being of minorities in Pakistan on a priority basis.
Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has also nominated Swarn Singh, former president of the Pakistan Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (PSGPC) to the Pakhtunkhwa Assembly. The Sikh diaspora has welcomed the move, saying appointment of Sikhs in Assemblies in Pakistan will go a long way towards safeguarding the rights of the Sikh community.
Newly elected members of the Pakistan’s National Assembly also took oath at the first session of the house on Saturday. Outgoing Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza administered the oath to the members.
Prominent personalities in the new assembly include Nawaz Sharif who has been elected as a member of the House after a period of over 13 years. Mr Sharif is expected to be sworn in as Prime Minister and appoint his Cabinet in the coming week.
Pict: historic day: Ramesh Singh Arora, second left, is greeted by well-wishers after taking oath as a member and the first Sikh of the Punjab Provincial Assembly on Saturday in Lahore. His role will be to ensure development of the minority Sikh community in Pakistan.
with thanks : DeccanChronicle : LINK
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