Calls for Preservation: Punjab Assembly Speaker Orders Removal of Encroachments from Sacred Shrines

Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, Speaker of Pakistan's Punjab Assembly, has ordered the removal of encroachments from Hindu and Sikh shrines. This initiative aims to preserve sacred sites, including numerous historical gurdwaras. Former IAS officer D S Jaspal, who champions Sikh heritage conservation, lauded this decisive move during his recent visit to the assembly.

In a significant initiative, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, the Speaker of Pakistan's Punjab Assembly, has mandated the clearing of encroachments from Hindu and Sikh shrines across the province. Former Punjab-cadre IAS officer, D S Jaspal, shared this development after a recent visit.

Jaspal, who retired in 2015, detailed his meeting with Minority Affairs Minister Ramesh Singh Arora and highlighted Speaker Khan's strong stance on the issue. Khan's orders, directed at protecting these sacred sites, were a marked positive gesture, resonating with the assembly's unanimous sentiment.

During this visit, Jaspal also received commendation for his commitment to preserving Sikh heritage. His book, 'Tryst with Trees - Punjab's Sacred Heritage,' documents various gurdwaras named after trees, signifying the cultural importance of these sites in both India and Pakistan.

(With inputs from agencies.)