—During a press conference, the Delhi Shiromani Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) President Paramjit Sarna announced that the Pakistan Government has given its approval to renovate two historical Gurdwaras in Pakistan. Namely, Gurdwara Dera Sahib (Lahore) and Gurdwara Ber Sahib (Sialkot) will undergo renovation work.
As per the statement by Paramjit Sarna, the DSGMC will pay for the renovation work. The statement was made after Sarna returned from Pakistan. He alleged that more Gurdwaras may be renovated in future.
The project plan includes total demolition of the existing complex of Gurdwara Dera Sahib. Sarna detailed that apart from the the Palki Sahib, the building will be re-constructed. Similar work is expected to take place at Gurdwara Ber Sahib.
Although Sarna has stated that all work will be done after taking the Archaeological Department of Pakistan into confidence, Sikh Sangat should ensure that no historical buildings are destroyed during the construction process. Gurdwaras in India have suffered a great lot due to their continued modernization. If this trend is seen in Pakistan, Sikhs will lose whatever history is preserved across the border.
