Gurdwara closed since 1947 reopened

Minister urges Indian government to reopen Kartarpur Corridor

LAHORE:

The historic Gurdwara Chhevin Patshahi in Mozang has reopened following extensive renovation and restoration work.

The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) completed the restoration and reopened the building for worship, bringing an end to its closure since the Partition.

The gurdwara is associated with the sixth Sikh Guru. According to accounts, Guru Hargobind visited the place during his visit to Lahore in 1619. The shrine had remained closed since 1947 and gradually fallen into disrepair.

At a ceremony organised to mark the reopening, Punjab Minorities Affairs Minister Ramesh Singh Arora said the restoration of more than 50 gurdwaras across Pakistan was under way.

He said Gurdwara Khara Sahib in Nowshera Virkan was also expected to be inaugurated this month.

He said Sikh pilgrims from India and other parts of the world were welcome to visit Pakistan to attend celebrations marking the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

According to him, around 10,000 Sikhs from India wanted to visit Pakistan, but the Indian government had not granted permission to more than 3,000 pilgrims despite a positive response from Pakistan.

He also urged the Indian government to reopen the Kartarpur Corridor to facilitate Sikh pilgrims and promote religious tourism between the two countries.

ETPB Secretary Nasir Mushtaq said the board would continue its efforts to protect and restore places of worship belonging to the Sikh and Hindu communities.

The contribution of a former president of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Sardar Bishan Singh, and Professor Mampal Singh to the restoration of the gurdwara was acknowledged on the occasion.