Punjab Govt to Begin Renovation of Gurdwara Panja Sahib

Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs Ramesh Singh Arora on Monday announced that restoration and renovation work on the historic Gurdwara Panja Sahib would begin soon.

The minister, who visited the site along with 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, said the government was committed to preserving the sanctity of religious sites and protecting the rights of minorities.

“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,” Mr Arora said.

The project will include cleaning the natural water springs beneath the gurdwara and relocating a sewage drain outside the premises to facilitate devotees and safeguard the historic structure.

Mr Arora stressed that both the prime minister and the provincial government had directed authorities to ensure the safety and upkeep of 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.

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During the visit, the minister also performed religious rituals at the gurdwara.

Every year, thousands of Sikh pilgrims from across the globe, including India, travel to Hassanabdal for the Baisakhi festival. In April this year, nearly 3,000 pilgrims arrived from India, joined by hundreds more from the UK, Canada and the US.

Baisakhi, celebrated annually on April 14, marks the founding of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699 and coincides with the spring harvest, making it both a spiritual and cultural occasion for the Sikh community worldwide.