125-Year-Old Gurdwara Singh Sabha Lehri Demolished in Pakistan Without Permission

• WhatsApp
• YouTube
• X
• Instagram

The demolition of a 125-year-old Gurdwara Singh Sabha Lehri in Pakistan’s Punjab province has triggered anger and concern among members of the Sikh community, reigniting debate over the protection and preservation of minority religious heritage sites in the country.

The historic Gurdwara Singh Sabha Lehri in Farooqabad, around 70 kilometres from Lahore, was allegedly razed by a local businessman without obtaining mandatory government approvals or securing a No Objection Certificate from the relevant authorities. News of the demolition quickly spread among local Sikh groups, leading to protests and demands for immediate government intervention.

Officials in Punjab confirmed that the demolition had taken place without the legally required permission from the department responsible for overseeing such properties. According to preliminary findings, the businessman proceeded with the demolition despite regulations requiring official clearance for any structural changes involving historical or religious sites.

“The businessman demolished the gurdwara without obtaining the required NOC from the department concerned,” a provincial government official said while confirming that authorities became aware of the incident only after members of the Sikh community began protesting.

The incident soon reached the attention of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, who directed government departments to investigate the matter and determine the circumstances under which the demolition took place.

Responding to growing outrage, Punjab Minorities Minister Ramesh Singh Arora travelled to Farooqabad on Wednesday accompanied by senior district officials, representatives of the Auqaf Department and members of the local administration. The delegation inspected the site and held discussions with Sikh community leaders who expressed deep disappointment over the loss of a place that carried both religious and historical significance.

Following the visit, Arora announced that the provincial government had ordered the immediate restoration of Gurdwara Singh Sabha Lehri and assured the community that those responsible for unauthorised actions would face scrutiny.

“I personally inspected the site and instructed the relevant authorities to submit a fact-based report at the earliest,” Arora said after the inspection.

The minister revealed that preliminary information suggested the land on which the shrine stood might not have been officially registered as Auqaf property, raising questions over ownership records and administrative oversight. Authorities have now launched an inquiry to establish the legal status of the site and determine whether any procedural failures allowed the demolition to occur.

Arora reiterated that the Punjab government remained committed to safeguarding the rights of religious minorities and protecting places of worship that form part of the region’s diverse cultural and historical identity. He confirmed that restoration work would begin without delay.

For many Sikhs, the issue extends far beyond the destruction of a single structure. Pakistan is home to several important Sikh religious sites connected to the life and legacy of the Sikh Gurus, attracting pilgrims from across the world every year. While major shrines receive government attention and international visibility, smaller historic gurdwaras often struggle with neglect, disputed ownership claims and encroachments.

The demolition of Gurdwara Singh Sabha has therefore touched a sensitive nerve within the community, which views the preservation of such sites as essential for protecting centuries of religious and cultural history in the region.

At the same time, the government’s restoration plans have encountered resistance from local traders and families living around the site. Residents argue that the premises had remained abandoned for almost eight decades and had gradually evolved into a commercial and residential space where several families built homes and businesses.

Many shopkeepers have appealed to the authorities to provide rehabilitation measures and alternative arrangements if restoration efforts require relocation or eviction. They insist that any solution should balance heritage preservation with the livelihoods of people who have depended on the area for generations.

The competing claims have added complexity to what initially appeared to be a straightforward heritage protection issue. Authorities now face the challenge of restoring a historical place of worship while also addressing the concerns of residents and business owners who may be affected by the process.

The controversy arrives at a time when Pakistan has repeatedly highlighted efforts to preserve religious sites associated with minority communities and promote interfaith harmony. As investigations continue, many within the Sikh community will be watching closely to see whether the promised restoration of Gurdwara Singh Sabha becomes a symbol of that commitment or another reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by historic minority heritage sites across the region.