Hindus, Sikhs in Pak to get cash aid for festivals

Pakistan's Punjab government will give PKR 10,000 to 2,200 Sikh and Hindu families each in the province on the occasion of Guru Nanak's birth anniversary and Diwali.

Pakistan's Punjab government will issue a 'festival card' for 2,200 Sikh and Hindu families each in the province under which PKR 10,000 (about INR 3,000) will be given to them on the occasion of Guru Nanak's birth anniversary and Diwali.

Special arrangements are in place for foreign pilgrims expected to arrive next month to celebrate the 555th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, officials said.

Punjab government spokesperson told PTI on Wednesday that the Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed the authorities concerned to immediately start the process of issuing the festival card to 'our Hindu and Sikh brothers'.

The Punjab cabinet has approved issuance of 'festival card' for 2,200 Sikh and Hindu families under which PKR 10,000 will be given to them to celebrate their religious festivals -- Baba Guru Nanak's birth anniversary (which is falling next month) and Diwali, he said.

Starting this year, the money under the festival card will be given to these 2,200 families each year.  -- PTI