Place of worship: Lease of Gurdwara land challenged

Plaintiff requests the court to annul the lease of Gurdwara land

PESHAWAR: The representatives of the Sikh community in Peshawar have filed a writ petition against leasing of the land of the Bahi Biba Singh Gurdwara.

The counsel for the petitioners have made the federal and provincial governments and Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) respondents. Sahib Singh and Sikh community filed the plea with facilitation of Sanaullah and Taimur Advocates.

Plaintiff has observed that Gurdwara Bahi Biba Singh is a religious place and Constitution of Pakistan gives the community right to practice their faith freely, protection of minorities’ holy places is government’s responsibility.

However ETPB has leased 16 marlas of Bahi Biba Singh Gurdwara land which is an unconstitutional act. He has requested the court to annul the lease of Gurdwara land.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 11^th, 2018.