GUJRAT: Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry has announced setting up a heritage museum and Lok Vera like set-up at an 18th century Sikh gurdawara in Jhelum city after a Sikh delegation met the minister and offered funds for the restoration of their temple.

He told reporters he told the Lok Versa administration in Islamabad as well as the Jhelum district administration to prepare a restoration plan of the site. Jhelum Deputy Commissioner Saif Anwar Jappa visited the site a few days ago and ordered the officials to prepare a feasibility of the project. He said the government would preserve the historical building with Sikhs.

A portion of the gurdawara houses the Central Investigation Agency branch which also needs restoration as most parts of the building are crumbling.

Located in Bagh Mohallah near the Jhelum River, Bhai Karam Singh Gurdawara was a worship place of the Sikhs of the district prior to Partition. A commemorative plaque at the place reads the building was renovated in 1943.

Galleries in the main worship hall and plaques inscribed with the names of people are in their genuine shape but the ceiling and the upper floor of the building are in shambles.

Locals say Sikhs from across the glob often visit the place to recall their memories with the sacred and historical place. Work on the project has yet to be launched as the locals have demanded the government take measures to preserve the historical sites in the Jhelum district, including the famous Rohtas Fort near Dina.

Published in Dawn, December 31st, 2018