Islamabad, Feb 25 (NationPress) - As the number of Sikhs and Hindus residing in Pakistan continues to decline, a report released on Wednesday has revealed that lands associated with various religious sites belonging to these minority groups have been sold, while other properties are reportedly being forcibly occupied by local individuals throughout the nation.

According to a report by 'Khalsa Vox', a recent incident has surfaced involving a historic gurdwara located in Abbottabad, situated in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which was allegedly sold for 10 million Pakistani rupees by the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), the organization tasked with the preservation of gurdwaras, temples, and other places of worship for minority communities in the country.

“At the time of the 1947 Partition, numerous religious sites belonging to the Sikh community and Hindu temples were left in Pakistan. To ensure their upkeep, the government formed the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB). However, it has come to light that the majority of gurdwaras and temples are either in a dilapidated state or have been entirely erased, allegedly to obstruct the Sikh and Hindu communities from asserting their rights over these properties,” the report indicated.

As reported, the ETPB administrator in the Attock district of Punjab province allegedly handed over control of Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Abbottabad, which was established during the Sikh rule, to a local individual named Waheed Bala after reportedly receiving a bribe of 10 million Pakistani rupees. The official is accused of permitting the demolition of the gurdwara to make way for a clothing boutique.

“Reports suggest that the gurdwara was transferred into the names of Waheed Bala’s two wives, Rida Jadoon and Ayesha Waheed. Leaders within the Pakistani Sikh community have called for the immediate termination of the implicated ETPB official and for the preservation of the gurdwara structure. They pointed out that the department responsible for maintenance has profited millions from rental shops on and around the gurdwara premises, yet has failed to allocate any funds for its repair or maintenance,” the report from 'Khalsa Vox' detailed.

“The main entrance of the gurdwara still displays the inscription 'Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha' in Gurmukhi, and the phrase ‘Sachkhandi Vasai Nirankar’ is visibly readable outside the Diwan Hall. Despite this, the property has reportedly fallen under the control of the individual who purchased it,” it further noted.