ETPB spends Rs millions on Sikh sites

This is a story printed in the E-paper of Dawn News, Pakistan, credited only to 'Our Correspondent' (April 10th, 2009)

Guru Nanak varsity planned, Rs360m spent on upkeep of Gurdwaras

TAXILA, April 9: The chairman Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Syed Asif Hashmi on Thursday said the government had spent Rs360 million on the upkeep and improvement of various civic facilities at various Gurdwaras to make the Sikh pilgrims stay here comfortable. He was talking to newsmen after inauguration of newly constructed langar (dining) Hall at Gurdwara Punja Sahib Hassanabdal. Deputy Director Evacuee Trust Property Board Syed Faraz Abbass, Sikh community local leader Sardar Suran Singh and other officials were also present on this occasion. He said that the government believed in providing maximum facilities to and better care of the Sikh community as both the communities enjoy deep-rooted relations.

He said the government had launched a programme on war footing to provide maximum facilities to the Sikh pilgrims especially when their religious and traditional event of Basakhi is observed here.

“The aggressive plan could be judged from the fact that a sum of Rs45 millions had been spent during 2008 on provision of various facilities and upkeep of various Gurdwaras while a sum of Rs172 million had been spent during last four months,” Hashmi said.

He said that with the allocation of Rs31 million various accommodation, boarding, lodging and civic facilities were constructed including establishment of 100 huts for stay of Sikh pilgrims besides improving other civic facilities.

He said 500 gallons water storage facility had been constructed at Nankana Sahib besides building double-storey lavatory there. Similarly 20 wash rooms have also been built at Dera Sahib, Kartar Pur and Sacha Soda Farooqabad.

He said that Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) had also planned to establish a hundred bedded hospital at Punja Sahib with modern and well equipped trauma centre. He said that this hospital would not only provide prompt health facilities to pilgrims during their stay here but to minorities living here as general public as well. Responding to a question he said that Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilliani would perform ground breaking ceremony of much awaited Guru Nanak International University when these Sikh pilgrims would visit Nanakana Sahib in connection with Besakhi celebrations.

He said that this University would not only attract thestudents and academia from neighboring India but would prove a research centre of Sikhism. He said that Sikhs from across the world were waiting for establishment of the university and they were also offering their support to make the university as a centre of excellence of Sikh religion.

The establishment of Guru Nanak University at Nankana Sahib would strengthen the bond of relationship between the people of Pakistan and Indian Sikhs and open new horizons of relationship between the two neighboring countries of India and Pakistan, he added.

While briefing about the newly constructed Langar Khana, he said this three-storey building had been completed with a cost of Rs20 million. He said that as many as 500 people could take their one time meal. He said that basement of this Langar Khana would be used for kitchen while two floors for dining.

He said that due to current law and order situation, foolproof security would be provided to Sikh Yatrees during their stay in Pakistan. He said that ETPB would provide free of cost buses to the Sikh yatrees from various railway stations to Gurdwaras. He said that 48 CCTVs had been installed inside Gurdwara at Nankana Sahib.