Australian High Commissioner in Pakistan Margaret Adamson met Provincial Minister for Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Khalil Tahir Sindhu here today. Second Political Secretary of Australian High Commission Hugh Boylan was also present on this occasion.
Matters relating to mutual interest, promotion of Pakistan-Australia socio-economic ties and cooperation in different areas, particularly measures taken by Punjab government to safeguard the minorities and human rights came under discussion. The minister informed the Australian High Commissioner regarding the initiatives of the Punjab government for protection of minorities and human rights, along with providing them government jobs in civil administration, police and judiciary through a five per cent mandatory quota being implemented strictly throughout the province.
He apprised Margaret Adamson regarding educational stipends amounting to Rs30 million distributed among the minority students annually, laptops and IT education, along with new legislation and amendments in Christian personal laws, empowerment of minority women through skills development.
Sandu appreciated the efforts of the Australian government for providing technical as well as financial assistance in different sectors of human development and said that Australia is a big trade partner of Pakistan and contributing to Pakistan’s economy with its huge export in livestock, agriculture and industrial sector. He lauded the initiatives of the Australian government for the betterment of vulnerable segments of the society in the province and said that Australia has always supported Pakistan and Punjab for the development of educational, health, food and other related facilities of life.
“We hope to expand the scope of this mutual cooperation and working relationship with Australia in future,” he added. He said that Punjab is making rapid progress in all fields of life, ensuring the protection and promotion of equal rights creating opportunities for minorities in the province. The Australian High Commissioner appreciated the measures taken by the Punjab government for the progress and prosperity of the province. She hoped that the development projects initiated in the province, particularly for the betterment of minorities as well as women and protection of human rights will usher in a new era of development and progress of Pakistan. Australian diplomat also lauded the measures taken in the province, particularly Women Package, elimination child labour, and legislation regarding harassment against women.
