sikhpride

Evacuee Trust Property Board established in 1960 by the Pakistan Government, is the overall authority to administer Evacuee Properties and Shrines of Hindus and Sikhs. It has its headquarters at 9 Court Street, Lahore, Punjab (Pakistan). The Board has a Chairman and members. It can be contacted on phone no. +92(42)99211043-45 and through email: info@etpb.gov.pk. It may be mentioned here that this Board has been in news for not paying due attention to Sikh and Hindu shrines. For example, there was a report regarding cracks in the walls of Gurdwara Bhai Joga Singh in Peshawar and the necessary repairs have been pending for a long time. Gurdwara Bhai Joga Singh, located in Mohalla Jogan Shah, is one of the few major places of worship for Sikhs in Peshawar. If the locals’ fear of the Gurdwara collapsing materialises, not only will Sikhs of Peshawar lose a worship place, but those travelling from other districts to the provincial metropolis for major events will be deprived of a guest house attached to the Gurdwara. The lodging services are free not only for Sikh travellers, but all the people who visit Peshawar and want to stay at this place. There have also been lot of complaints regarding illegal sale of Gurdwara lands and misuse of the same. That is why, Mastan Singh, Chairman Sikh council of Pakistan filed a case against the Board in the Supreme Court and honourable court had summoned the former Chairman of the Board and questioned the appointment of new Chairman. The court also issued an order to send a report regarding Bebe Nanki Gurdwara in Dehra Chahal as weather the land has been restored back to the Gurdwara or not. It also need to be added here that the Supreme Court in a recent decision has also shown concern for a Hindu temple in Katas Raj and questioned as why the government had failed to ensure the presence of idols in the temple. It observed that the administration was neglecting the Hindu Temple. These observations of the court give an impression that the Evacuee Trust Property Board will become more considerate for the properties belonging to the minorities and they will feel protected.