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Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan marks Ranjit Singh anniversary amid absence of Indian Sikh pilgrims
Listen to article Pakistan marked on Saturday the 186th death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh with solemn ceremonies at Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore, but the absence of Indian Sikh pilgrims cast a shadow over the commemorations. Indian authorities denied permission for a delegation of Sikh devotees to travel to Pakistan despite Islamabad's official invitation, according to Pakistani officials. The move has drawn sharp criticism from Sikh leaders and rights advocates, who called it discriminatory and a violation of religious freedom. Dr Sajid Mehmood Chauhan, Chairperson of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), addressed the gathering and paid tribute to Ranjit Singh's legacy of religious tolerance. 'Ranjit Singh built not just a Sikh state, but one rooted in respect for all faiths,' Chauhan said. 'Blocking Sikhs from visiting his mausoleum is a grave injustice.' Read: Global Sikh community thanked for solidarity A large number of Pakistani Sikh devotees gathered at Ranjit Singh's samadhi (mausoleum) to offer prayers and remember the founder of the Sikh Empire, widely revered for promoting pluralism. Chauhan said Pakistan had restored key Sikh sites including Nankana Sahib, Panja Sahib and Dera Sahib. He also noted the facilities provided to pilgrims, including accommodation, healthcare, langar, and security. Additional Secretary Shrines, Saifullah Khokhar, said the event was a symbol of interfaith peace and cultural preservation. 'Pilgrims from around the world go back with respect and love for Pakistan's hospitality,' he said. Sardar Bishan Singh, former head of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, voiced sorrow over India's decision. 'It's heartbreaking for the global Sikh community,' he said. 'In contrast, minorities in Pakistan feel protected.' Punjab's Minister for Minorities and current Committee President, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, did not attend due to personal reasons. The event concluded with Sikh prayers, highlighting Pakistan's continued efforts to protect religious heritage despite regional tensions.
Express Tribune
23-06-2025
- Climate
- Express Tribune
Pindi braces for monsoon flooding
With the onset of the pre-monsoon season, the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC), Rawalpindi District Council, cantonment boards, and the Evacuee Trust Property Board have issued final red noticessome for the second timeordering the evacuation of 285 multi-storey buildings across the district that are over 100 years old and prone to leaking during rainfall. Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema has imposed a ban on dumping garbage, building material, and other waste into the 22-km-long Nullah Leh and 15 stormwater drains. Station House Officers (SHOs) of area police stations have been directed to register cases against violators. Following directives from the district administration, residents of low-lying areas along Nullah Leh have started moving valuablesjewelry, refrigerators, sofas, and other household itemsto safer locations. Some families have already begun temporary relocation. To deal with potential flooding, the Civil Defence Department, District Administration, and the 111 Brigade have decided to conduct joint full-dress rehearsals next week. These drills will be carried out in low-lying areas near Rawal Dam, including Nadeem Colony and Javed Colony, and will involve Civil Defence, police, and Rescue 1122. The Meteorological Department's forecast for pre-monsoon rains next week has caused concern among residents living near the stormwater channels. Fifteen temporary Civil Defence warden posts have been activated in these areas. Every year, heavy rains during the monsoon and pre-monsoon seasons cause widespread destruction in Rawalpindi, affecting about 70 per cent of the city's population and commercial areas. The municipal corporation and the Evacuee Trust Property Board have ordered the evacuation and repair of all dilapidated historical buildingsdating back to British and Hindu erasin the inner city. According to the chief officer of the municipal corporation, strict notices have been issued to tenants and owners of these buildings due to the risk of collapse during rainfall. The Evacuee Trust Property Board has also served evacuation noticeseffective until June 30to tenants of both commercial and domestic properties in Raja Bazaar, Sarafa Bazaar, Purana Qila, Bagh Sardaran, Dingi Khoi, Shah Chan Chiragh, Banni Mohalla, Jhanda Mohalla, Jamia Masjid Road, Moti Bazaar, and Trunk Bazaar. These properties, once owned by Hindus and Sikhs, are structurally unsound and overdue for repairs. The district council has warned building owners that structures not vacated will be demolished. Three tenants have challenged the notices in court. The court has issued notices to the district council and the chief officer of the municipal corporation to submit responses. District Civil Defence Officer Talib Hussain confirmed preparations are complete for the full-dress rehearsal in Javed Colony and Nadeem Colony. The flood season in Rawalpindi has been officially declared from July 1 to September 15.
Express Tribune
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Officials told to explain Nankana encroachments
The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) has issued show-cause notices to three officers over their alleged failure to prevent encroachments and unauthorised construction on trust properties in Nankana Sahib. The action came over findings presented in a report prepared following a visit to Nankana Sahib by the ETPB secretary under directives of a commission established on the orders of the Supreme Court. The report highlighted widespread encroachments and unauthorised structures on ETPB properties found over the past six months with photographic evidence. The officers served notices are Deputy Administrators Adnan Ahmad Hassan and Ejaz Ahmad, and Security Supervisor Arsalan Naeem. According to the report, the officials had failed to fulfill their core administrative responsibilities of safeguarding trust properties from encroachment and illegal occupation. It noted that the officers had neither identified the encroachments in time nor taken effective action to prevent or remove them. After reviewing the report, the ETPB chairman concluded that disciplinary action could be taken under the Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020. The possible punishments include dismissal from service. The officers have been directed to submit a written explanation within 10 days, justifying why disciplinary action should not be taken against them. They have also been given the option to appear in person to present their defence. Failure to respond within the stipulated time may result in ex parte proceedings. The show-cause notices were issued by ETPB Secretary Fareed Iqbal with the approval of the chairman.
Indian Express
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
With Shimla Agreement in suspension, SGPC cancels Sikh pilgrimage to Pakistan for Maharaja Ranjit Singh's death anniversary
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) Sunday announced that it will not send a Sikh pilgrimage group (jattha) to Pakistan this year to mark the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the founder of the Sikh Empire, on June 27. The decision follows the diplomatic stand-off between India and Pakistan and the suspension of the 1972 Shimla Agreement in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. The pilgrimage is undertaken as part of a longstanding arrangement under the Shimla Agreement, which permits Sikh pilgrims to visit Pakistan four times a year. Harbhajan Singh Vakta, a representative of the SGPC, confirmed the cancellation on Monday and said, 'Every year, a few 'jatthas' are sent by SGPC to Pakistan for darshan. One of these is the 'jattha' for Maharaja Ranjit Singh's death anniversary… Now, the SGPC has decided not to send the 'jattha' this time. We had made an official announcement yesterday. Looking at the situation between the two countries, this time no 'jattha' will be sent,' Vakta said. There has been no immediate response from Pakistan's Evacuee Trust Property Board, which typically hosts the Sikh pilgrims. According to the agreement, up to 3,000 pilgrims are allowed to travel for Guru Nanak Dev's birth anniversary, 1,000 for the martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev, and 500 for the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The sites of religious and historical importance to Sikhs in Pakistan include Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev, and Lahore, where Guru Arjan Dev was martyred. The SGPC's decision follows India's recent diplomatic actions against Pakistan, which included scaling down diplomatic missions, sealing the border, and suspending the Indus Waters Treaty. These steps were taken after the April 22 Pahalagam terror attack in Kashmir, in which 26 people were killed. In the last week of April, Pakistan suspended the Shimla Agreement in response to India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. On May 7, India launched Operation Sindoor, its military action targeting terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), leading to a military conflict between the two nations before a ceasefire was announced on May 10.
Express Tribune
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
India blocks Sikhs' Pakistan pilgrimage
In a move that has drawn criticism from religious leaders and advocates of interfaith harmony, the Indian government has barred Sikh pilgrims from traveling to Pakistan to participate in the annual martyrdom anniversary of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Sikh Guru. Despite this restriction, Pakistan's Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) and the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) organised a symbolic reception at Lahore's Wagah border on Sunday, expressing solidarity with the Sikh community and promoting interfaith harmony. The main ceremony marking Guru Arjan Dev Ji's martyrdom will be held at Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore on June 16, with invitations extended to Sikh pilgrims from across the world, including India. According to the event schedule, the Indian pilgrims were scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on June 9. However, ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan and the closure of the border led the Indian government to block its citizens from undertaking the pilgrimage. Speaking at the symbolic reception, ETPB Chairman Dr Sajid Mahmood Chauhan, Additional Secretary Shrines Saifullah Khokhar, PSGPC President Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, committee members, Lahore's Krishna Mandir priest Pandit Kashi Ram, Balmiki Hindu community representative Amarnath Randhawa, custodian of Hazrat Mian Mir's shrine Makhdoom Syed Ali Raza Gillani, and members of the Christian community were present to demonstrate interfaith unity. Addressing the gathering, Additional Secretary Shrines Saifullah Khokhar said that under a bilateral agreement, up to 1,000 Indian Sikh pilgrims are permitted to visit Pakistan for the martyrdom anniversary events.
