World Bank President Ajay Banga on Four-Day Visit to Pakistan, Pays Obeisance at Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib
Banga is also set to visit his parents' ancestral village in Khushab.
Pakistan News: World Bank President Ajay Pal Singh Banga is on a four-day visit to Pakistan and, on the first day of his tour, visited Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib in Hassan Abdal along with his family, The Tribune reported.
According to the report, Banga and his delegation were received amid tight security by Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs Ramesh Singh Arora and Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.
It noted that the World Bank last year announced a $20 billion financing package for Pakistan over the next decade. The funds are expected to be invested in "nutrition, education, and renewable energy sectors", with the aim of stimulating private sector growth.
Citing sources, the report added that during his visit, Banga is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with other key ministers and senior officials from the finance and economic reforms departments, to discuss Pakistan’s "cash-strapped" economy.
Banga is also set to visit his parents’ ancestral village in Khushab.
In a phone conversation with the news outlet, Minority Affairs Minister Ramesh Singh Arora said that Banga’s visit had sent a “positive and encouraging” message, particularly for the Sikh community.
“It was an honour to welcome Banga ji and his family. Such visits convey a global message of peace and interfaith harmony. Otherwise, misconceptions are spread that Pakistan is not a safe place for visitors,” Arora was quoted as saying.
During his visit to the gurdwara, Banga paid obeisance, performed ardas, participated in religious rituals, and partook in the langar. He observed the Sikh traditions of Sangat (congregation of devotees) and Pangat (sitting together in a row) at the langar hall of the revered shrine.
The World Bank president was also briefed on initiatives being undertaken by the Pakistan government to protect and uplift minority communities.
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