The incident has also sparked protests from members of the Sikh community in Pakistan, prompting the Punjab provincial government to announce the shrine’s restoration.

The gurdwara, located in Farooqabad, was reportedly demolished on the night of June 24 by a local businessman without obtaining the mandatory No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the relevant authorities.

India urges Pakistan to investigate incident

Responding to the development, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal expressed deep concern over the destruction of the historic shrine and urged the Pakistan government to conduct a prompt investigation.

India called for those responsible for the demolition to be brought to justice and demanded that the damaged portions of the Gurdwara be restored and reconstructed without delay.

The government also expressed concern over reports that no meaningful action had initially been taken by local authorities or the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB). According to New Delhi, the incident reflects a continuing pattern of attacks on religious minorities and their places of worship in Pakistan.

India further urged Islamabad to fulfil its responsibility of ensuring the safety, security and well-being of minority communities while taking effective measures to curb religious intolerance and sectarian violence.

Sikh community protest prompts official response

According to a Punjab government official in Pakistan, the demolition came to the attention of authorities only after members of the local Sikh community staged protests.

Following the demonstrations, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz took notice of the matter.

Punjab Minorities Minister Ramesh Singh Arora later visited the demolished Gurdwara along with senior district officials and representatives of the Auqaf Department to assess the situation and hear concerns raised by local Sikhs.

During the visit, Arora announced that restoration work would begin immediately. He also directed the Auqaf Department to investigate the ownership and legal status of the land, noting that preliminary findings suggested the property was not registered as Auqaf land.

The minister said the provincial government remained committed to protecting minority rights and preserving religious heritage across Punjab.

Local traders raise concerns over restoration

While welcoming government intervention, several traders operating around the site expressed reservations regarding the restoration plan.

They claimed the premises had remained abandoned for nearly eight decades, during which families had settled there and commercial establishments had developed in the area.

The traders urged the authorities to provide alternative housing and livelihood support if any residents or shopkeepers were required to vacate the site during the restoration process.