Pakistan orders restoration of 125-year-old Farooqabad gurdwara after demolition sparks protest
Punjab government in Pakistan has ordered restoration of 125-year-old Gurdwara Singh Sabha in Farooqabad after its alleged unauthorised demolition triggered protests by the Sikh community
PTC Web Desk: The Punjab government in Pakistan has ordered the immediate restoration of the historic Gurdwara Singh Sabha in Farooqabad after its alleged unauthorised demolition led to protests by members of the Sikh community.
The shrine, believed to be more than 125 years old, is located around 70 km from Lahore. According to government officials, a local businessman allegedly demolished the structure without obtaining the mandatory No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the department concerned.
Officials said the matter came to the government's attention after members of the Sikh community raised objections and staged protests over the demolition.
Taking note of the issue, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed authorities to investigate the incident and submit a report.
Punjab Minister for Minorities Ramesh Singh Arora visited the site on Wednesday along with the Deputy Commissioner of Sheikhupura, officials from the Auqaf Department and the local administration. After inspecting the location and meeting representatives of the Sikh community, he announced that the historic gurdwara would be restored without delay.
Arora said preliminary findings indicated that the demolition had taken place without the required official approval. He also ordered a detailed inquiry into the ownership and legal status of the property after initial reports suggested that the land was not registered under the Auqaf Department.
"I personally inspected the site and have instructed the authorities concerned to submit a fact-based report at the earliest," the minister said.
He reaffirmed the Punjab government's commitment to safeguarding the rights of religious minorities and preserving places of historical and religious importance. He also said restoration work on Gurdwara Singh Sabha would begin immediately.
Meanwhile, some local traders operating around the site have opposed the restoration plans. They said the premises had remained abandoned for nearly 80 years, during which several families settled there and many shops were established.
The traders have appealed to the government to provide alternative housing and rehabilitation for families and shopkeepers who could be affected if the restoration work requires eviction.
The incident has once again highlighted concerns among the Sikh community regarding the protection and preservation of historic Sikh religious sites in Pakistan. The provincial government has assured that action will be taken against any unauthorised demolition and that the heritage shrine will be restored.