British Political Counsellor Mark Bell, along with a delegation, visited Gurdwara Dera Sahib here on Thursday, where Minister for Minority Affairs Punjab Ramesh Singh Arora welcomed him as host and accompanied them on a tour of various sections of the Gurdwara.
During the visit, Mark Bell and Ramesh Singh conducted a detailed inspection of Gurdwara Dera Sahib. The delegation participated in the Ardas, took part in religious rituals, and also visited the Langar Hall, where they partook in the Langar meal.
The delegation highly appreciated the initiatives taken by Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif for the protection of minority rights. They also praised the efforts of Provincial Minister Ramesh Singh Arora for the renovation and restoration of religious sites across the province.
Mark Bell described interfaith harmony in Punjab as exemplary, stating that the atmosphere of respect and tolerance among different religions in the province is highly commendable. He assured cooperation to help increase the number of foreign pilgrims and tourists visiting Punjab.
On the occasion, Mark Bell said that the UK Government stands shoulder to shoulder with the Punjab Government and will continue to extend full cooperation for the protection of minority rights and the promotion of interfaith harmony.
Provincial Minister Ramesh Singh Arora thanked the British delegation for their visit and said that the Punjab Government is taking practical steps to safeguard the religious rights of all minorities and to improve and preserve religious sites.