Government and Sikh Community Forge Partnership for Major Restoration of Panja Sahib

HASAN ABDAL ,ALI IOMRAN CHATTHA

 In a landmark step toward cultural preservation, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, Provincial Minister for Minorities Affairs and President (Pradhan) of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (PSGPC), has announced the launch of a major renovation and restoration programme for the revered Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib. The announcement came during an official visit to the historic site in Hasan Abdal on Friday. Minister Arora was accompanied by Sardar Ameer Singh, senior PSGPC leader, underscoring the collaborative spirit behind the initiative. Minister Arora reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding religious heritage and protecting minority rights across Pakistan. He highlighted the profound significance of Panja Sahib, describing it as not only a sacred centre of Sikh faith but also a treasured cultural and historical landmark for the entire subcontinent. > “The conservation of Gurdwara Panja Sahib is a paramount concern for this administration,” Sardar Arora stated. “Pakistan belongs equally to all its citizens, and the state will continue to fulfil its duty by ensuring the restoration and upkeep of places of worship for minority communities.” Sardar Ameer Singh welcomed the initiative, remarking, > “The PSGPC is fully supportive of this essential work. Preserving this sacred site, which holds such deep historical significance for the global Sikh community, is our solemn duty. We are grateful for the government’s proactive support.” A Site Steeped in History Gurdwara Panja Sahib ranks among the holiest shrines of Sikhism, its origins tracing back to Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of the faith. According to tradition, Guru Nanak and his companion Bhai Mardana arrived in Hasan Abdal during their 16th-century travels. When Bhai Mardana, parched with thirst, was denied water by the local spiritual leader Wali Qandhari, Guru Nanak placed his hand on a hillside, from which a spring of fresh water miraculously flowed. In anger, Wali Qandhari rolled a boulder toward Guru Nanak, but the Guru stopped it with his outstretched hand, leaving an imprint — the panja — in the rock. This sacred relic is preserved in the Gurdwara to this day, and the spring continues to feed the holy Sarovar (pool) within the complex. The site was later visited by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Sikh Guru. The Restoration Scheme The newly approved conservation plan will tackle longstanding challenges, including: Cleaning and preservation of the natural freshwater springs central to the site’s history. Rerouting a nearby sewage drain to protect the shrine’s environment. These essential measures aim to enhance conditions for the thousands of international pilgrims who visit Panja Sahib annually. Sardar Arora further confirmed that explicit directives from both the Prime Minister’s office and the Punjab Government mandate the protection of minority religious sites and the provision of improved facilities for worshippers and visitors. The Minister and PSGPC officials were warmly received by community leaders and later joined in religious ceremonies. The visiting delegation included Members of the Provincial Assembly Mr. Mohsin Ayub Khan and Mr. Imran Ijaz, Deputy Secretary for Human Rights Mr. Mian Umar Hayat, Dr. Majeed Abel, Assistant Commissioner of Hasan Abdal Ms. Aqsa Imtiaz, and PML-N leader and Chairman Mr. Ali Asghar Awan, among other dignitaries. — Report by Ali Imran Chattha for Nazrana Times --