A high-level coordination meeting was held at the Headquarters of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) to review arrangements for the 557th Birth Anniversary celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of the Sikh faith. The meeting was chaired by Secretary ETPB Nasir Mushtaq.
Deputy Secretary Saadat Shehbaz Khan and Deputy Secretary Syed Faraz Abbas were also present. Senior officers and representatives of the Rangers, Customs, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sui Gas and other relevant departments, along with District Police Officers (DPOs), Deputy Commissioners, representatives of the Press Information Department (PID), and other administrative institutions of the concerned districts, attended the meeting.
The meeting reviewed in detail the arrangements for Sikh pilgrims, including foolproof security, accommodation, Langar, transportation, medical facilities, provision of clean drinking water, uninterrupted electricity and gas supply, and other necessary facilities.
Following the meeting, Secretary ETPB Nasir Mushtaq briefed media representatives and said that the Government of Pakistan is fully prepared to host Sikh pilgrims arriving from India and other parts of the world.
Secretary Nasir Mushtaq stated that Sikh pilgrims would arrive in Pakistan through the Wagah Border on 22 November, where they would be warmly welcomed. The main ceremony marking the 557th Birth Anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji will be held in Nankana Sahib on 24 November.
He said that all relevant departments and institutions had assured their full cooperation with the ETPB to ensure the provision of the best possible facilities to Sikh pilgrims.
Secretary ETPB Nasir Mushtaq said that high-quality air-conditioned buses would be provided for Sikh pilgrims, while medical staff and necessary healthcare facilities would be available at all residential locations.
He further stated that mineral water would be specially provided to ensure a safe and adequate supply of clean drinking water to the pilgrims.
For the convenience of the pilgrims, State Bank of Pakistan-approved currency exchange facilities would be established at designated locations and would be properly monitored to ensure transparency and convenience.
Secretary Nasir Mushtaq said that the best possible arrangements would be made for the accommodation and Langar of Sikh pilgrims. He added that the relevant departments would ensure the uninterrupted supply of electricity and Sui gas during the pilgrims’ stay.
He further informed that a dedicated Rescue 1122 ambulance would accompany every convoy of 20 buses to provide immediate emergency medical assistance. Police, Rangers, Rescue 1122 and other relevant institutions would remain fully mobilized to ensure the safety, security and comfort of the Sikh pilgrims.
Secretary ETPB Nasir Mushtaq expressed confidence that Sikh pilgrims visiting Pakistan would return with valued memories of Pakistan’s warm hospitality, love, respect and goodwill.

Secretary and Additional Secretary Shrines, Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), Nasir Mushtaq, along with Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora and Deputy Commissioner Narowal Tayyab Khan, visited a 125-year-old Hindu temple located in the outskirts of Narowal, in Siraj village.

During the visit, the officials thoroughly examined the available evidence and categorically rejected rumours that the temple had been deliberately demolished. Nasir Mushtaq clarified that no individual or institution had caused any damage to the temple. Rather, a portion of the ancient temple building had collapsed due to the recent torrential and stormy rains. Describing the incident as a deliberate human act is therefore completely unfounded and absurd.

He said that anti-state elements are spreading false rumours in an attempt to damage Pakistan’s positive image as a country that respects and protects minorities.

He further clarified that no Hindu family associated with the Hindu faith resides in Siraj village or its adjoining villages. The temple is a non-functional place of worship, where no religious rituals or ceremonies are currently performed.

Nasir Mushtaq said that, with the cooperation of the Government of Punjab, the Evacuee Trust Property Board will soon commence formal work for the restoration, repair, renovation and beautification of the historic temple.

Secretary ETPB Nasir Mushtaq said that the Evacuee Trust Property Board remains fully committed to the protection, preservation and proper maintenance of minority religious sites as well as the country’s historical and cultural heritage. He added that effective and adequate security arrangements are also ensured for the protection of religious places of worship and the safety of pilgrims and visitors.

Chairman of the One-Man Commission, Shoaib Suddle, visited the Jain Temple and Valmiki Temple in Anarkali, Lahore.

On the special instructions of Chairman Evacuee Trust Property Board Qamar-ul-Zaman and Additional Secretary Shrines Nasir Mushtaq, Deputy Secretary Shrines Syed Faraz Abbas and Deputy Secretary General Ali Asghar facilitated the visit and briefed the Chairman of the One-Man Commission about both places of worship. Administrator Lahore Adnan Hassan and XEN Muhammad Bilal were also present on the occasion.

During the visit, Shoaib Suddle inspected the repair, renovation, and beautification work completed by the Evacuee Trust Property Board at the Jain Temple and Valmiki Temple and expressed his satisfaction with the work. He also directed that the remaining work at the Valmiki Temple be completed as soon as possible.

The Chairman of the One-Man Commission also met with members of the Hindu community present at the temples. The Hindu community expressed satisfaction with the arrangements and facilities provided by the Government of Pakistan at their places of worship.

Minister of State for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Kheal Das Kohistani, has said that the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) is effectively fulfilling its responsibility of preserving, restoring and maintaining historic temples, Gurdwaras and religious heritage, while extending exemplary hospitality and services to pilgrims visiting Pakistan from around the world.

He stated that, in line with the directions of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, effective measures will be taken to ensure the prompt resolution of all administrative and legal issues faced by the Board.

He made these remarks after receiving a detailed briefing during his visit to the ETPB Head Office. Upon his arrival, Chairman ETPB Qamar-uz-Zaman welcomed the Minister of State.

During the briefing, Chairman Qamar-uz-Zaman apprised the Minister of the Board’s administrative and financial challenges. He stated that the absence of a fully constituted Board has created difficulties in carrying out administrative affairs efficiently. He further informed the Minister that the deduction of Rs. 2 billion in taxes by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) from the Trust Institution’s accounts has caused significant financial constraints, adversely affecting the Board’s annual revenue.

On the occasion, the Minister of State assured that the issues faced by the ETPB in its capacity as a trust institution—particularly tax deductions and other administrative challenges—would be addressed on a priority basis. He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to finding effective and sustainable solutions to strengthen the Board, enabling it to perform its religious, social and welfare responsibilities for minority communities more effectively.

Secretary ETPB Nasir Mushtaq, while briefing the Minister, informed him that restoration and conservation work is currently underway at Gurdwara Bhai Joga Singh, Peshawar; Gurdwara Bhai Karam Singh, Jhelum; Gurdwara Panja Sahib; and Baoli Mandir, Narowal. He further stated that a comprehensive master plan is also being prepared for the restoration of Sadhu Bela Mandir, Sukkur.

The Secretary further highlighted that, as part of the Board’s modernization initiatives, advanced technologies including satellite imagery, e-Office, online billing, geo-tagging, Management Information System (MIS), e-Billing, and technological support from SUPARCO have been introduced to improve governance and operational efficiency.

Nasir Mushtaq also informed the Minister that the Evacuee Trust Property Board has undertaken effective operations against the land mafia to recover valuable trust properties, resulting in the successful retrieval of numerous high-value properties from illegal occupants.