Canadian MPs Discuss Sikh Heritage Preservation and Religious Harmony with Punjab Minister Ramesh Singh Arora

Punjab government plans restoration of 50 historic gurdwaras; Canadian Sikh community invited to support heritage conservation efforts

LAHORE (Nazrana Times): Punjab Minister for Minorities Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora held separate meetings with Canadian Members of Parliament Iqwinder S. Gaheer and Ruby Sahota, focusing on religious harmony, Sikh heritage preservation, cultural diversity and stronger cooperation between Pakistan and Canada.

During the discussions, Arora outlined the Punjab government’s initiative to restore and preserve 50 historic gurdwaras across the province under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.

The minister said the restoration programme was aimed at protecting the religious and historical significance of Sikh places of worship while ensuring that these important heritage sites remain accessible and properly maintained for future generations.

Canadian Sikh Community Invited to Support Gurdwara Restoration

Arora invited Sikh communities worldwide, particularly the Canadian Sikh diaspora, to participate in the management, maintenance and preservation of historic gurdwaras undergoing restoration in Punjab.

He emphasised that cooperation with overseas Sikh communities could play an important role in safeguarding Pakistan’s Sikh religious heritage and strengthening cultural connections across borders.

Pakistan Reaffirms Commitment to Kartarpur Corridor

The meetings also addressed the importance of the Kartarpur Corridor, which provides Sikh pilgrims access to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, one of Sikhism’s most sacred religious sites.

Arora reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to keeping the corridor safe, operational and accessible to Sikh devotees visiting from different parts of the world.

Discussions included the facilities provided to pilgrims at Kartarpur Sahib and concerns over restrictions affecting access from the Indian side.

The minister also highlighted Pakistan’s efforts to simplify visa procedures for international Sikh pilgrims, describing easier access to religious sites as an important step towards promoting faith-based tourism and cultural understanding.

Pakistan–Canada Cooperation and Cultural Exchange

Both meetings explored opportunities for closer cooperation between Pakistan and Canada in religious heritage conservation, interfaith dialogue and cultural exchange.

The discussions also highlighted the potential for greater engagement between communities in both countries through initiatives promoting religious tolerance, mutual respect and the protection of cultural traditions.

Arora extended invitations to MPs Iqwinder S. Gaheer and Ruby Sahota to visit Pakistan in their official capacities.

He also invited a delegation of young Canadian parliamentarians and youth leaders to visit the country, with the aim of encouraging direct interaction, strengthening people-to-people relationships and promoting greater understanding of Pakistan’s religious and cultural diversity.

The meetings reflected Punjab’s efforts to engage international partners and overseas Sikh communities in preserving historic religious sites while strengthening ties with Canada through heritage preservation and interfaith cooperation.