LAHORE: Pakistan has rejected allegations by the India’s Ministry of External Affairs regarding plans to demolish the historic Gurdwara Singh Sabha in eastern city of Sheikhupura, saying the viral allegation misrepresent the action taken against unauthorized construction on adjoining commercial properties.
The clarification by Pakistan's Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) came after criticism in the social media posts prompted from New Delhi, raising concerns over the alleged demolition of the Sikh heritage site.
The Evacuee Trust Property Board is a government department responsible for looking after the educational institutions, charitable or religious trusts left behind by Hindus and Sikhs, who migrated to India in 1947 and afterwards.
Facts
According to the ETPB, the gurdwara itself has not been demolished. Instead, two leased shops on the adjoining property were partially demolished after tenants carried out construction work without official approval.
The episode attracted attention beyond the viral claim, underscoring competing narratives about the preservation of Sikh heritage in Pakistan and the management of its historic religious sites.
According to the ETPB, the Gurdwara Singh Sabha complex has remained inactive for decades, while parts of the surrounding property are leased out for commercial and residential purposes since 1974.
The board said the Municipal Committee of Sheikhupura declared two adjoining structures unsafe, after which the tenants began construction work without permission.
As a result, the authorities intervened on June 24, halted the repair work, initiated legal proceedings, cancelled the leases, reclaimed possession of the property, and sealed the site.
The ETPB said a restoration and conservation plan for the property is underway in line with heritage preservation requirements.
"The board remains committed to protecting all religious and historical sites under its administration," the ETPB said.
Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, who inspected the site after the controversy, also brushed aside the claims about demolition of the worship place.
"Our focus is on restoring the historic buildings," Arora told Pakistan TV Digital.
He added that the Punjab government had launched restoration work on dozens of Sikh religious sites.
"The Chief Minister of Punjab has gifted the Sikh community the restoration of 50 gurdwaras. The claim that a gurdwara had been demolished created the false impression that Sikh religious sites are being eliminated in Pakistan. That is contrary to our vision."
"I saw the building and it’s not in a dilapidated condition. Instead it’s in a perfect condition."
Officials say the response reflects Pakistan's broader policy of conserving Sikh heritage by restoring historic religious sites and facilitating pilgrimage.
That effort is visible across Punjab, where restoration projects have reopened several historic gurdwaras for worship and religious tourism.
An Indian Sikh pilgrim, Salma Kaur, said she intentionally photographed restored gurdwaras to share the images after returning home while visiting Pakistan.
"I captured these photos so that when I go back to India, I can show people there how our gurdwaras, built ages ago, are still the same," she said.
"The committee here has taken immense care to preserve and restore our ancient artwork."
The Sheikhupura controversy emerged amid heightened scrutiny of religious heritage across South Asia.
Pakistani officials maintain that, in this case, the viral claim conflated enforcement action against unauthorized commercial construction with the condition of the historic gurdwara itself.
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