Conspiracy: ‘Some PML-N leaders impeding ETPB work’

ETPB chairman has written to the chief minister in this regard

LAHORE: Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Chairman Siddiqul Farooq has submitted an application to Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif seeking an inquiry into an incident in Nankana Sahib on the birthday of Baba Guru Nanak.  Addressing a press conference, Farooq said some Pakistan Muslim Leaue-Nawaz (PML-N) were involved in a conspiracy against him.  “Some Sikhs desecrated the birthplace of Baba Guru Nanak and detained a federal minister and some other guests on the birthday of Guru Nanak in Nankana Sahib. I have demanded an inquiry against police and the district administration for failing to discharge duties,” he said. Farooq said he would inform the provincial and central leadership of his party about those who were involved in what happened on the day. He said he had retrieved land worth Rs4 billion from land grabbers in Nankana Sahib after which some people there had turned against him. “I spent more than Rs100 million on beautification of Hindus and Sikhs’ sacred places. Some projects are still underway and projects worth Rs140 million will be completed in 2016,” he said.

He said the corrupt elements are unhappy about this.  “I am serving Hindu and Sikh pilgrims. Dehli Gurdwara Management Committee Pardhan Sardar Manjeet Singh has also acknowledged my services in this regard. The number of pilgrims coming to Pakistan in recent times has increased as a result of these efforts,” he added. He said a gurdwara in Peshawar would be handed over to the local Sangat soon.  In Karachi, he said, a plot for the construction of a gurdwara would also be handed over to a local Sangat later this month. He said the Constitution of Pakistan protected places of worship for minorities should.

“I will continue my efforts despite efforts by those who are opposed to this,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 4^th, 2016.