Sikh and Hindu religious sites in Pakistan are being continuously damaged. Recently, a case of demolition and sale of the land belonging to a Gurdwara Sahib has come to light in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad.
According to a report by Khalsa Vox, an official of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) has sold the historic Gurdwara in Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan, after receiving a bribe of 10 million Pakistani rupees. Furthermore, the official also granted permission to demolish the Gurdwara. The buyer is now building boutiques for his wives there.
The ETPB is the organization responsible for the maintenance of Gurdwaras, temples, and other places of worship belonging to minority communities in Pakistan. This board was formed to oversee the religious sites of all minority communities in Pakistan. Permission granted to convert Gurdwara Sahib into a boutique
According to media reports, the ETPB administrator in Hasan Abdal, Attock district, handed over possession of the Gurdwara Shri Guru Singh Sabha, Abbottabad, built during Sikh rule, to a local resident named Wahid Bala. The official also allegedly granted permission to demolish the Gurdwara and construct a clothing boutique in its place.
Land buyer transfers land to two wives
The purchaser of the Gurdwara Singh Sabha land is said to be Wahid Bala, who has transferred the land to his two wives, Rida Jadoon and Ayesha Wahid. They are soon to open their boutique there.
Sikhs demand dismissal of ETPB official
Sikhs living in Pakistan have demanded the immediate dismissal of the ETPB official who granted permission to sell and demolish the Gurdwara Sahib. They have also urged the government to save the Gurdwara Sahib building. Rent collected, yet no repairs carried out
Sikhs living in Pakistan claim that the ETPB has collected rent for shops within the Gurdwara complex for years, but the Gurdwara Sahib remains unrepaired. Even today, the market in Abbottabad is known as Gurdwara Market and Gurdwara Gali.
Written in Gurmukhi on the Gurdwara Sahib's gate
The Gurdwara Sahib in Abbottabad, which has been claimed for sale, still has the inscription "Gurudwara Shri Guru Singh Sabha" in Gurmukhi on its main entrance, and the words "Sachkhandi Vasai Nirankar" are clearly written outside the Diwan Hall. Despite this, the property is now reportedly under the control of the person who purchased it. This is the history of Gurdwara Shri Guru Singh Sabha Abbottabad...
Built in the 19th century: According to reports, this Gurdwara was built in the 19th century, when the Hazara Abbottabad region was under Sikh rule. This suggests that this Gurdwara Sahib was built between 1818 and 1849. It is said to be one of the Sikh religious sites built during the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
Historical Heritage of the Sikh Reign: The Hazara Abbottabad area was also considered the site of Maharaja Ranjit Singh's military base. Due to the presence of the Sikh administration and military, this Gurdwara served as a major religious center for the local Sikh population. Therefore, it is considered a historical heritage of the Sikh Empire.
Famous as a Religious Site for Hindus and Sikhs: Abbottabad was home to a large number of Sikhs and Hindus. The Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara Sahib is also a temple. Consequently, this area of Abbottabad was considered a major religious site for Sikhs and Hindus.
Gurdwara Sahib Deserted After Independence: After independence, Hindus and Sikhs migrated from this area. Religious activities ceased due to the lack of Sikh population. After 1976, the Gurdwara Sahib building began to fall into ruins.
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