What could be termed a big step, the Punjab government has introduced a legislation to protect temples, churches, gurdwaras and other places of worship belonging to minorities, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Sunday.
Under the legislation, the organizations, working for the welfare of minorities, receiving government grants or foreign funding, will be deemed to be joint properties.
In this connection, the draft of the Bill for the Protection of Joint Properties of Minorities, 2026 was submitted to the Punjab Assembly secretariat.
A provincial action committee will be set up for the protection of joint properties of minorities.
Its chairperson will be a member of the Punjab Assembly (MPA), belonging to a minority community, and will be appointed by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
Secretary human rights and minorities affairs and secretary law and parliamentary affairs will be the members of the committee.
A senior member of Board of Revenue (BoR), deputy inspector general of police, Punjab and six personalities belonging to minorities, including a woman, will also be its members.
The committee will compile the record of joint properties belonging to minorities.
It will also monitor the misuse of these properties besides erection of structures on them and their occupation.
Besides that, the committee will give its recommendations to the government on matters related to the sale, transfer and lease of these properties.
Reporter: Rao Dilshad Hussain