HARIPUR: Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs Ramesh Singh Arora has announced that renovation and restoration work on the historic Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib in Hassanabdal will soon begin.
The minister made the announcement during a visit to the gurdwara, accompanied by Provincial Assembly members Mohsin Ayub Khan, Imran Ijaz, Mian Umar Hayat and Dr Majeed, Hassanabdal Assistant Commissioner Aqsaa Imtiaz, and PML-N leader Ali Asghar Awan.
Arora said the government of Pakistan is committed to preserving the sanctity of all religious sites across the country and ensuring the protection of minority rights.
“Gurdwara Panja Sahib is not only sacred for the Sikh community but also represents a shared cultural and historical heritage of the subcontinent. Its preservation and renovation remain a top priority for the government,” he said.
The project includes cleaning the natural water springs beneath the gurdwara and relocating a sewage drain outside the premises to facilitate devotees and protect the historic structure.
Highlighting government policy, Arora said both the prime minister and the provincial government have directed authorities to ensure the safety, preservation and facilitation of all minority religious sites.
“Pakistan belongs to minorities as much as it belongs to the majority. The state is determined to fulfil its responsibility by preserving and maintaining their sacred places,” he added.
Arora also performed religious rituals at the gurdwara.
Thousands of Sikh pilgrims from around the world, including India, visit Gurdwara Panja Sahib each year for the Baisakhi festival.
In April this year, around 3,000 pilgrims arrived from India, joined by hundreds more from countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States.
Baisakhi, celebrated annually on April 14, marks the founding of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. The festival also coincides with the spring harvest, making it a deeply spiritual and culturally significant occasion for the global Sikh community.
