Punjab to Revive 46 Gurdwaras for Sikh Community
News Desk
Lahore: In a significant move to preserve Sikh heritage and promote religious tourism, the Punjab government has launched an initiative to restore 46 historic gurdwaras across the province.
The project, led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, aims to revive religious sites that had been closed since the creation of Pakistan.
Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs, Ramesh Singh Arora, announced the initiative while attending the 12th Annual Sammagam at Baba Di Berri Sahib Gurdwara. He highlighted the government’s commitment to reclaiming and restoring sacred Sikh sites, ensuring their accessibility for the Sikh community in Pakistan and worldwide.
Arora revealed that the restoration efforts have already seen success, with the reopening of the Baba Di Berri Sahib Gurdwara in Sialkot after 70 years. Additionally, the land of the historic Baba’s Pond, previously encroached upon by land mafias, has been retrieved and handed back to the local Sikh community.
He acknowledged the support of Federal Minister for Defense Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Zulqarnain Langrial in reclaiming the sacred land. He further emphasized the government’s vision to establish Gurdwara Baba Di Berri Sahib as a major international religious site, alongside other key gurdwaras in Lahore, Narowal, Punjab Sahib, and Nankana Sahib.
Arora stressed that the initiative aligns with the vision of Mian Nawaz Sharif, reinforcing the message of religious harmony in Pakistan. “There is no distinction between minorities and majorities—all religious communities here are fellow Pakistanis,” he stated.
The project is expected to enhance religious tourism, benefiting the local economy and fostering interfaith harmony. Following the religious gathering, Minister Ramesh Singh Arora also participated in the traditional Langar distribution among the Sikh Sangat.
This large-scale restoration initiative marks a crucial step in safeguarding Sikh heritage and strengthening Pakistan’s commitment to religious inclusivity.
