Historic gurdwara demolished in Pakistan, Sikh community protests

A decades-old historic gurdwara was demolished by a local businessman in Pakistan's Punjab province, sparking protests from the minority Sikh community. According to an official of the Punjab government, the historic Gurdwara Singh Sabha in Farooqabad, some 70 kms from Lahore, was recently demolished by a local businessman. "The businessman had demolished the gurdwara without obtaining the required No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the department concerned. The department has not taken notice of it till the Sikhs of the area protested." 
He said Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz took notice of the matter following a protest by the Sikh community in the area. On Wednesday, Punjab Minorities Minister Ramesh Singh Arora visited the Gurdwara Singh Sabha in Farooqabad and announced its immediate restoration.Arora, accompanied by the Deputy Commissioner of Sheikhupura, Assistant Commissioner Imran Ali Harl, the Chief Officer of the Municipal Committee, officials from the Auqaf Department and others, visited the site and also listened to the grievances of local Sikhs.The minister directed the Auqaf Department to immediately conduct an inquiry into the ownership and status of the land on which Gurdwara Singh Sabha stood, adding that initial information suggested the property was not registered as Auqaf land.
Meanwhile, local traders operating around the site expressed reservations over the restoration plan.They said that the premises had remained abandoned for nearly 80 years, during which time several families had settled there and numerous shops had been established.
The traders said the restoration could displace dozens of families and urged the government to provide alternative housing and livelihood opportunities to any affected residents if eviction became unavoidable. They said that the premises had remained abandoned for nearly 80 years, during which time several families had settled there and numerous shops had been established. The traders said the restoration could displace dozens of families and urged the government to provide alternative housing and livelihood opportunities to any affected residents if eviction became unavoidable. 
India has strongly condemn this highly deplorable and targeted act of vandalism against a revered Sikh shrine. Its destruction.  MEA Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal has asked Pakistan to expedite probe and bring the perpetrators of this despicable act to justice. Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) submitted a memorandum to the Ministry of External Affairs over an attempt to demolish a historic Gurdwara Sahib building in Pakistan's Punjab province. The committee demanded strict action against those responsible and called for enhanced security for Gurdwaras and Sikhs in Pakistan.