Bhai Biba Singh, a 300 year old gurudwara in Peshawar, Pakistan, would be reopened after 64 years, to Indian Sikhs.

Siddiq-ul-Farooq, the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) chairman, said that, the gurudwara would be reopened, only if India opens new Muslim pilgrimage spots to Pakistani Muslims, as identified in the 1974 Pilgrim Protocol signed between the two nations.

“We have carried out massive renovation work of Gurdwara Bhai Biba Singh and would be pleased if Sikhs from India visit the shrine and pay obeisance,” he said.

Biba Singh gurudwara is situated in Peshawar’s Jogiwara locality and is considered to be an architectural masterpiece. It is believed to be established during the time of 10th Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh, who died in 1708.

However, after the partition, as several Sikh families have moved away from Jogiwara, the historical gurdwara was neglected for more than 6o years. In 2012, ETPB, a body corporated under Pakistan's ministry of religious affairs and inter-faith harmony, began restoring the gurdwara.

Though Pakistani Sikhs are allowed to enter gurudwara, it has been closed to members of the community from India.

Although, the officials managed to protect the structure from being encroached, it failed to renovate the structure. After deciding to reopen, just for renovation Rs. 7.5 million was spent and Rs. 1 million was spent on other minor repairs.

However, after completing restoration, the Sikh representatives decided to reopen the gurdwara. 

Speaking on the issue, Pakistan Sikh Community (PSC) Chairperson Radesh Singh Tony said, “The decision to reopen our place of worship has brought us great joy. Before this, we had only two gurdwaras in Peshawar - [Gurdwara Johgan Shah] in Saddar and another in RA Bazaar. The gurdwara in RA Bazaar mostly remain closed as security forces are deployed there.”

He added, “There are more than 1,200 Sikhs in Peshawar and it was difficult to accommodate them in one gurdwara simultaneously.”

ETPB Chairperson Siddiqul Farooq said, “Today is a day of pleasure - not only for Sikhs but for other non-Muslims as well. The decision to hand over ownership of the gurdwara has given a sense of freedom to other minorities as well.”

By Phani Ch