A Discussion On Minority Rights In Gujranwala
Students play a leading role in raising awareness and discussion on interfaith dialogue, harmony, climate change, health, population growth, and other issues in our society. The younger generation will have to come forward to improve the possibilities of this human mission.
The event was organized by the students of the Department of International Relations at GIFT University, Gujranwala, on August 23, 2025. I shared my thoughts during a presentation on Minority Rights in Pakistan (Gujranwala). It was a great opportunity and I considered it a practical step in order to promote the idea of “Respect for Religions”. I shared an example of a recently solved issue and urged how such initiatives will play a role in raising awareness among Gujranwala’s 6 million population. For me, this is an important initiative in determining the direction of thinking and respecting religion.
In July, I got an opportunity to interact with the students of the Department of International Relations of GIFT University, Gujranwala, while they visited and met with the in-charge Pastor Arif Siraj, the Moderator PCP at Swift Memorial First Presbyterian Church of Pakistan in Gujranwala.
They informed that their project topic under Conflict Management and Resolution is Minority Rights in Pakistan (Gujranwala. They presented a questionnaire focused on the Sikh and Christian communities living in Gujranwala. The purpose of this questionnaire is to understand the challenges minorities face and to evaluate their access to fundamental rights. They have also prepared a questionnaire whose purpose is to focus on the Christian communities living in Gujranwala.
Their questions were based on topics such as Basic Rights & Religious Freedom, Discrimination & Social Behavior, Education & Economic Participation, and Living Conditions & Community Well-being.
Professor Dr. Muhammad Akram Work, Principal, Government Postgraduate Islamia College, Gujranwala, is considered a shining star in promoting interfaith dialogue. He also guides students in the Department of Islamic Studies, GIFT University.
Professor Dr. Muhammad Akram Work, Principal of Government Graduate Islamia College and Faculty Member of the Department of Islamic Studies, GIFT University, is considered a shining star in the promotion of interfaith dialogue.
This information is of great interest to the readers as these students were entering a church for the first time in their lives. It was a joy for them to see a priest/monk in religious attire. They captured pictures of the priest and the interior of the church on camera. After the church visit, the meeting with the pastor and his family in the adjoining house and the basic information about Christians not only increased the students’ knowledge about other religions, but they also shared this pleasant experience with their circle of friends, including Professor Mr. Ali Imran, which is truly a wonderful addition to the promotion of the philosophy of respect for religions.
