Sikh Minister Represents Pakistan at Sydney Cultural Festival

Pakistan’s First Sikh Minister Attends Sydney Mango Party, Promotes Interfaith Harmony
Ali Imran Chattha Nazrana Times | SYDNEY
Pakistan's Punjab Minister for Minorities Affairs and Human Rights, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, arrived in Sydney on Monday to attend the 3rd Mango & Multicultural Party, becoming one of the first serving Sikh provincial ministers from Pakistan to undertake an official public engagement with the Pakistani diaspora in Australia.
Arora, who also serves as President of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC), was welcomed by members of the Australian Pakistani community before attending the annual event, which celebrates Pakistani culture, mangoes and multiculturalism.
Organisers said the festival attracted more than 60,000 visitors from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds, including Pakistani, Australian, Sikh, Hindu, Christian and other communities.
Speaking at the event, Arora said overseas Pakistanis played an important role in presenting a positive image of the country abroad.

"Overseas Pakistanis are the true ambassadors of Pakistan. This Mango and Multicultural Party reflects our shared values of tolerance, diversity and peaceful coexistence," he said.
He congratulated organisers Nasir Taseer, Shoaib Hanif and Aslam Kahlo for bringing together people from different communities through what has become one of Australia's largest Pakistani cultural gatherings.
Arora said his visit also carried the message of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to promote interfaith harmony, mutual respect and cultural understanding beyond Pakistan's borders.
"The sweetness of Pakistani mangoes symbolises the warmth of our people and the strong bonds among communities living in Australia," he said.
The festival featured Pakistani mangoes, cultural performances, traditional cuisine and family activities, providing a platform for cultural exchange and strengthening people-to-people ties between Pakistan and Australia.
Community representatives described Arora's participation as a significant milestone for Pakistan's Sikh community and for the country's efforts to promote minority representation and interfaith harmony on the international stage.
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