Pakistan: KPK government to restore 19th century Sikh gurdwara

Peshawar, February 20

The provincial government in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has taken custody of a 19 century gurdwara built during the reign of Sikh ruler Hari Singh Nalwa, to renovate and open it for devotees.

Presently, the Sikh gurdwara in Mansehra district is closed and acts as a makeshift library, officials said.

The provincial Auqaf and Religious Affairs Department has recommended the local government to take up the restoration proposal with the Evacuee Property Trust Board (EPTB) in Lahore.

The EPTB is a statutory board that manages religious properties and shrines of Hindus and Sikhs who had migrated to India following the partition.

Hari Singh Nalwa (1791–1837) was the commander of the Sikh Empire. He is remembered for the battles in Kasur, Sialkot, Attock, Multan, Kashmir, Peshawar and Jamrud. Over 56 buildings, including forts, towers, gurdwaras and tanks, are said to be built under his direct supervision. PTI