Chandigarh, Jul 24 (PTI) The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) on Friday condemned reports alleging the demolition of a historic gurdwara in Balochistan’s Quetta, and called for an immediate, transparent investigation into the matter.
NAPA Executive Director Satnam Singh Chahal said that if the reports are found to be true, the demolition would amount to a serious violation of religious freedom and an attack on the cultural and historical heritage of the Sikh community.
He urged the governments of Pakistan and Balochistan to immediately halt any construction activity at the site until an independent inquiry establishes the facts.
“The Sikh community’s religious sites are not merely buildings; they are symbols of faith, history and identity.
Any attempt to erase or damage such heritage raises serious concerns and must be addressed with urgency,” Chahal said.
He called for accountability if any legal violations are confirmed and stressed that places of worship belonging to minority communities should be protected in accordance with the law and international human rights principles.
Chahal also urged Pakistan’s federal and provincial authorities to ensure equal protection for all religious minorities, including Sikhs, under the country’s Constitution, and to preserve historic religious sites for future generations.
He appealed to international human rights organisations and bodies working on religious freedom to monitor the situation and encourage a fair, transparent and lawful resolution.
NAPA expressed solidarity with the Sikh community in Quetta and reiterated its commitment to advocating for the protection of Sikh religious heritage and the rights of minority communities worldwide.
The organisation said preservation of religious heritage is a shared responsibility and expressed hope that the concerned authorities would investigate the allegations impartially and take appropriate legal action if any wrongdoing is established. PTI VSD NB NB
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