Pak hands over Baloch shrine to Sikhs

Karachi, July 23

A 200-year-old gurdwara in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province, which was being used as a government high school for the past seven decades, has been handed back to the minority Sikh community after restoration by the provincial government.

Sri Guru Singh Gurdwara on the Masjid Road in the centre of Quetta was handed back officially to the Sikh community on Wednesday to use it for prayers and religious ceremonies, the authorities said.

The gurdwara was used as a government high school for girls for the past 73 years.

Jasbeer Singh, chairman, Sikh Community Committee, Balochistan, said it was a gift from the government. He said around 2,000 Sikh families lived in different parts of Balochistan and the ancient gurdwara had a special significance for them. — PTI