SIKHS TO HAVE THEIR GURDWARA IN KARACHI SOON

According to Pak Observer "The Sikh community, a religious minority in Pakistan would be pleased to have a temple at Karachi soon for which the federal government had consented to allocate a piece of land measuring 600 square yards. The ETPB Chairman Siddique Al Farooque said that the government intends to give the property of the Trust in Karachi for commercial purposes and hence the investors, who would have their interest in investing their money, might approach the ETPB for onward process.

Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) senior leader and the Evacuee Trust Property Board(ETPB) Chairman Siddique Al Farooque announced this in a meeting held in Karachi Tuesday at the office of ETPB, which was attended by the committee that was constituted for the construction of the Sikh temple, the Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Karachi. Sardar Manmohan Singh had led the said committee with the members Sardar Bhola Singh, Sardar Jeet Kumar, Nanki Bai, Johar Lal, Suresh Kumar, Jag Mohan and Sardar Manjeet Singh.

With regard to security concerns of the religious minority, he reiterated the absolute resolve of his government that the security of the places of worships of the Hindus and the Sikhs would be fully ensured and the Sikh pilgrims on their visit to Pakistan for participating in their religious rituals would also be provided with fool proof security. Complete security to the pilgrims visiting Sadhu Bela and Mirpur Mathelo Hayat Petafi Darbar would also be ensured, he vowed.

On a dispute between the Hindus and the Sikhs, the ETPB chairman assured the meeting that the disputes would be resolved especially the issue of Bagh Nari temple would be soon resolved. He also told the meeting that the federal government had also provided a boat made of fibre glass worth Rs.1 million to Sadhu Bela temple, while the old boat was being repaired.

The ETPB Chairman Siddique Al Farooque told the meeting that the federal government had also increased annual grant for the Hindu temple in Sukkur, Sadhu Bela had also been increased from Rs. 1 million to Rs. 1.5 million."