LAHORE: The historic Sikh shrines at Emnabad and Chuharkana Mandi in Pakistan will be thrown open to Sikh pilgrims within a year or so. The pilgrims visiting Pakistan on the occasion of the birthday of Guru Nanak Dev in November next will be allowed to visit one of these shrines

Stating this Pakistan’s Minister of State for Minorities Peter John Sahotra said that the renovation and repair work of these shrines was going on speedily.

The minister was responding to a question on the statement of Surjit Singh Panesar who while addressing a congregation at Nankana Sahib on June 22 had said the Sikh community of UK had undertaken the renovation of Gurudwara Sacha Sauda at Chauharkana Mandi and Gurdwara Chaki Sahib and Bhai Lalo Da Khu (Bhai Lalo’s well) at Emnabad which would be thrown open to visiting Sikh pilgrims from November this year.

When this attention was drawn towards the repeated demand being made by the SGPC that it should be allowed to depute “sewadars” to perform the daily religious rituals in historic Gurdwara’s in accordance with Sikh norms and traditions Sahotra dismissed the demand saying the Pak-national Sikhs “who are well aware with these rituals” had been performing these duties. Due to security reasons we cannot allow the SGPC to send its “sewadars” he said.

 “If we do the Government of India will allege that the Sikhs are being imparted arms training in Pakistan” he added sarcastically.

Stating that Pakistan wanted to maintain cordial relations with India for peace and prosperity on this subcontinent he said both countries should sort out their pending disputes amicably.

Pointing out that the Pakistan Government had decided to constitute a federal advisory council for minorities he said a meeting would be held under the president ship of Prime Minister Sharif at Islamabad on July 1 for this purpose Due representation would be given to non-Muslims on the council.

He disclosed that 10 seats were reserved for non-Muslims in the National Assembly (Parliament). In the provincial assemblies the number of seats would depend on the ratio of population of the minority communities. For instance five seats were reserved for Hindus two for Christians and one each for Parsis and Ahmedias in Sindh province. Similarly eight seats were reserved for Christians and one each for Hindus and ‘Ahmedias in the Punjab Assembly.

Claiming that people belonging to all religious were living in complete harmony he said “No communal riots took place in Pakistan since its inception except one minor riot between Muslims and Ahmedias in 1953. Now there is no problem.”

The Minister said as per the constitution of Pakistan people belonging to all religions had full freedom to worship in accordance with their respective faiths Equal respect is being given to places of worship belonging to all religions.

Asked if there was any provision for study of any particular language for the minority communities Sahotra said both English and Urdu were compulsory subjects up to the graduate level. All provincial languages were being taught in the respective states

Earlier in the day addressing the main function in observance of the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh at Gurdwara Dehra Sahib the minister said the Pakistan government would continue to extend all facilities to Sikh pilgrims.

The government he said was making all efforts to maintain holy places of minority communities and hoped that the places of worship of Muslims would also be looked after properly in the neighboring country.

Speaking on the occasion Gurmet Singh Shahura leader of the 500-odd Sikh pilgrims from India paid glowing tributes to Maharaja Ranjit Singh who he said was a harbinger of Jove and peace among various sections of society.

On behalf of the SGPC “siropas” were given to Sahota and senior officer of the Aukaf Board on this occasion.

The visiting leaders were also presented “siropas” on behalf of the Aukaf Board.

Article extracted from this publication >> July 24, 1992