Lahore, (PR) : Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora paid an official visit to the Lahore office of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), where he held a productive meeting with TDAP Punjab Director General Ms. Rafia Syed. The discussion centered on expanding religious tourism, empowering minority entrepreneurs, and creating sustainable economic opportunities through inclusive trade.
During the meeting, Minister Arora lauded the visionary leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, noting that tangible steps are being taken under her leadership for the welfare and inclusion of minorities. He stated, “Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s inclusive vision is a shining example for Pakistan’s progress and interfaith harmony. Under her leadership, Punjab is becoming a model of equal opportunity for every religious and social group.”
The Minister highlighted the significance of promoting religious tourism through the Kartarpur Corridor, emphasizing that such initiatives not only foster interfaith harmony but also stimulate the local economy. He proposed that religious tourism be developed as a community-based and experiential model, allowing visitors to engage with local culture, food, traditions, and craftsmanship.
Minister Arora also recommended that minority entrepreneurs be given strong representation at upcoming events such as the Pakistan International Export Summit (PIXS 2026) and Pakistan Travel Mart (PTM 2026). He urged TDAP to link minority-led businesses with its startup accelerator programs, enabling them to showcase their products on international platforms.
He further emphasized the need to connect skilled women artisans to TDAP’s trade portal and other e-commerce platforms, ensuring they have access to both domestic and global markets.
In response, DG TDAP Punjab Ms. Rafia Syed assured full institutional support to promote economic independence within minority communities. She reaffirmed TDAP’s commitment to utilizing all available resources to facilitate the export potential and market access of minority-owned products. Both sides agreed on the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the near future to formalize the partnership between TDAP and the Department of Minority Affairs. The core aim of this collaboration will be to economically empower minorities and to present a positive image of Pakistan globally through inclusive trade and religious tourism.