Chandigarh, Punjab (June 15, 2013): It is learnt tht Arif Chaudhry, President of Pak-Indo Friendship Association reportedly hinted on June 14, 2013 that the Government of Pakistan may declare “Panja Sahib” as a holy city. Panja Sahib (Hassanabdal) is located near the frontier province of Pakistan. Panja Sahib is believed to house a rock with the hand prints of the founder of Sikh religion, Guru Nanak. It is considered to be a holy pilgrimage site for Sikhs all over the world and thousands of Sikh devotees pay visit to Sikh place every year.
It is learnt from media sources that decision of Pakistan Government was made known during Chaudhry’s meeting with the Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal in Chandrigarh.
As per media reprots during his visit, Chaudhry also extended an invitation to Parkash Singh Badal to attend a function arranged by the association marking the occasion in Pakistan, the timings of which would be confirmed in accordance with his availability. Badal reportedly accepted the invitation.
There are only several thousand Sikh who reside in Pakistan but the country has seperate marraige law for the Sikhs and a University is being set-up after the name of Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Sahib Ji, at Nankana Sahib.
On the other hand, there is no seperate marraige or personal law for Sikhs in India and they are subjected to Hindu personal law. There had been a consistent demand to declare Sri Amritsar as a ‘holy city’ but despite all effort and sacrifices India did not acknowledge the holy city status of Sri Amritsar.