In a historic moment for Punjab, the province continues to make history after the oath-taking of its first female chief minister. On Thursday that Ramesh Singh Arora, a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmaker, has become the province’s first Sikh minister, marking another milestone.
Arora, representing Narowal district, secured his position as a minister in Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s cabinet. This marks his third term in the provincial assembly, but this time, he has been entrusted with the minorities portfolio. Arora had previously made history as the first Sikh lawmaker in Punjab, taking his oath as a member of the provincial assembly in 2013.
Another noteworthy addition to the provincial cabinet is Khalil Tahir Sindhu, a member of the religious minority from Punjab. Sindhu has been appointed to oversee the human rights portfolio.
Since 1970, various political parties and alliances, including PML-N, Pakistan Peoples Party, Islami Jamhoori Ittehad, Pakistan Muslim League Quaid, and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, have formed governments in Punjab. However, PML-N stands out as the only party to introduce the first Sikh Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) and include him in the cabinet.
The current composition of the Punjab cabinet reflects a mix of both new and familiar faces. Notable figures such as Bilal Akhbar Khan, Rana Sikandar, Zeeshan Rafique, and Kazim Pirzada have taken the oath as ministers for the first time, bringing a blend of experience and fresh perspectives. Seasoned members like Maryam Aurangzeb and Suhail Shaukat Butt, who have served as Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) in the past, add depth to the cabinet. Azma Bokhari, on her fifth term as an MPA in 2024, has been tasked with overseeing the Information Ministry of Punjab.
