LAHORE: A prominent leader of Pakistani Sikhs is under threat from unidentified people who have been attacking his business in Lahore for almost six months now, The Express Tribune has learnt.
Sardar Bishon Singh, who has served as the president of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, has always been vocal against the government’s ‘injustices’ with his community. He has been selling imported cloth in shops across Punjab’s provincial capital since he moved from the tribal areas in 1993.
“I have been threatened with dire consequences if I do not stay silent over issues,” Singh said. “They have threatened me with death and financial loss.”
Other than the threats, he said, cloth worth Rs7 million was looted from his shop in Azam Cloth Market. Another one of his shops, located in Zeenat Tower on the Model Town Link Road, was shut down by the building’s owners.
On September 19, Singh went to his shop only to find that owners had cut power supply and constructed another shop, blocking the way to his shop. “According to the tower’s map, there is no space on which the new shop can be constructed, so I have approached the court where I obtained a stay order. But when I tried to stop the construction, owners threw me outside the tower and closed my shop.”
Police refused to cooperate with him in the case. “Instead of hearing my complaint, police began inquiring if I belonged to India or Pakistan,” Singh said. “I tried to approach Malik Owais, Superintendent Police (SP) Model Town, but he said he had no time to entertain Sikhs as he had to deal with more pressing issues.”
“I then approached Zahid Aslam Gondal, the deputy secretary for law and order at the [Punjab] Chief Minister Secretariat, but I was not treated well. [Punjab] Governor Latif Khosa has now asked me to come see him,” he said.
When approached, SP Owais admitted that he had ignored Singh’s complaint because he had other commitments but said he has referred the application to relevant officials.
Owner of the building, Rashid Ahmad, also seemed to feel no remorse over shutting down Singh’s shop and admitted that he had cut electricity supply but claimed that it was because Singh owed him Rs0.5 million on account of maintenance charges for five years.
But for Singh, this could just be the end of the rope for his patience. “If the government of Pakistan cannot protect my life and even my business in one of its safest cities, then I should be allowed to migrate from this country, which is [only] for Muslims,” Singh said.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 22nd, 2011.
COMMENTS (26)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
A very sad story no doubt,but this should be considered as a case of a Pakistani citizen of Lahore., not a scuffle of Sikh v Muslim, and must not be allowed to spread as a hatred based religious matter to ignite the people having the same religion living across the border.I bet evil minded people are anxiously waiting to put a spark of hatred back into the peaceful life of Lahore.Has anyone thought beside the vulnerability of this man how much "Mirch Masala" the story is holding, to publicize it as a negative image of Pakistan.Soil is very fertile for enemies of Pakistan to sow seeds of hatred of their own liking.
I think this Sikh leader should send his complaints to the Khalistani leaders living in Pakistan supported by the ISI. I am sure they will use their connection and influence with the ISI to solve all the prolems of this man and other Pakistani Sikhs.
On the serious side, there is no other option, for all Hindus and Sikhs in Pakistan, other than migrating to India.
We are living in such frustrating times, and yet we do not learn. We have to respect all religions and not treat other people as subhuman. Because of our actions, our nation is in shambles and we have become an international joke. In my trips abroad, I am almost scared of revealing to people that I am from Pakistan because I get weird stares from people.
Islam doesn't teach us to disrespect other human beings, but love and respect them. May Allah guide us to the right path of becoming true and peaceful muslims.
This is certainly the norm in Pakistan these days. Second thing I wanted to add is that minorities living in Pakistan are not safe and are living a lifestyle with scare and threat either from the Pakistani government officials, the Muslim Pakistanis who are jealous of the success that the minorities have shown in Pakistan, and also by many Islamic Extremist groups who try to collect extortion money from the minorities or demand that they convert to Islam if they can't afford to pay jizya(a tax system that began during the Mughal rule) which the minorities living in Muslim dominated lands had to pay in order to be allowed to live in the territory. Even in the 21st century the minorities in Pakistan are not allowed to vote in Pakistan's general elections this right is only reserved towards Muslim Pakistanis only and the minorities can only vote for a minority representative to represent their community.
hahahahahah... Long live Intolerant PAKISTAN!
@Jameel
Well said.
Bishon Singh bhai, If any other country invite us to migrate, ninety nine percent of all Pakistanis (excluding taliban, tte, ttf, and xyz) are ready. Even our Muslim brother countries will not allow even a single Pakistani to come and spoil their land.
india helping pakistan taliban as said by rediff.com?
and pakistan taliban killed 1 sikh?
kamal nath,jagdish tygler,sajjan kumar all free
india arresting lot of sikhs during commonwealth games times
Hope India takes him.
@Noreen: 'Your' country was there before your birth, and will stand after our death. Thx for the services :)
How sad that we can allow this to happen to honest hard working Pakistanis within Pakistan. No wonder we are a joke outside Pakistan and we cannot call ourselves muslim if any one of us supports such hatred to go unchecked. The perpetrators must be brought to justice but being Pakistan I wonder if that can happen???
you have done great service to journalism.Pakistan needs such papers and journalists to uphold the values of civilised society. i have regards for large hearted Loharis but feel sad that few fanatics can not tolerate miniscule minority amongest them . The Sikhs have shown the way.There is a huge muslim poulation in Malerkotla(now a muslim dominated area in Indian punjab) large poulation and big mosques in Ludhiana and Jalandhar, Muslims in large number in state Governmemnt Jobs. recently Sikhs repaired and returned three mosques to Muslims in the state. In contrast in Lahore( once a city of great lntellectuals and writers) can not tolerate one sikh shop keeper.and police officer(s) have no time for him. Where is Pakistan heading----sad story
@Fortune Cookie: Grow out of the delusion.
What else do you expect for Sikh (or a Hindu or Christian or a woman) in Pakistan?
I know this sounds very derogatory - but such is fact of life.
In last 5000 years, Hindus, Sikhs, Budhdhists and Muslims lived there. Where is the nation of Pakistan that pride in 5000 year old history? Where is that spirit?
A depressing attitude. My country is failing. Nearing its impending doom.
wow....so much for pakistan protecting its minorities,they dont even have time to listen to him.
Laws are MANMADE but the teachings and rules of ISLAM are laid down by ALLAH. Therefore come judgement day and the broken rules will have to be paid for.
Don't write him Sikh.. he is a Pakistani. and this is happening with many Pakistanis everyday.. our Laws are not that much strong to tackle the problems of common man and to protect him.
This is collective problem of Pakistanis, not of Sikhs, Hindus, Christians or Muslims.