Punjab Newsline | Balochistan

A nearly 200-year-old historic Sikh shrine, Shri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara, has reportedly been demolished in Quetta, the capital of Pakistan’s Balochistan province. A shopping plaza is now being constructed on the site, triggering strong opposition from the Sikh community in Pakistan and India.

According to Sardar Jasbir Singh, a member of the Balochistan Gurdwara Singh Sabha, the Sikh community has been protesting the demolition but alleges that the government has so far failed to take action. He said Balochistan once had around 12 gurdwaras, but only two remain today.

The gurdwara was located on Archer Road in Quetta. The premises were later being used to operate St. Gabriel School. Sikh community leaders allege that the historic property was subsequently demolished to make way for a shopping plaza.

The matter has also reached the Balochistan High Court, which has reportedly declined, for the time being, to halt construction at the site.

According to the Sikh community, the land was associated with the Shri Guru Singh Sabha property. They allege that the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) sold the property to a private developer. This has raised questions over the legal basis on which the religious property was sold and the procedure followed in the transaction.

In India, the reported demolition has also sparked criticism. BJP national spokesperson RP Singh said the incident was an attempt to erase Sikh heritage in Pakistan. He called for the Akal Takht Sahib to take up the matter with the Pakistan government and demanded an independent investigation.

The Pakistan government and the ETPB have yet to issue an official response to the allegations surrounding the sale and redevelopment of the property.