What happened in Nankana Sahib?

Islamabad: Pakistan Foreign Office on Friday rejected reports that any Gurdwara was damaged in Nankana Sahib, hours after rumors started swirling that Sikh worship place was surrounded by a mob.

According to the a statement issued by the Foreign Office, the provincial authorities in the Punjab province have reported that a scuffle took place in the city of Nankana Sahib between two Muslim groups on Friday.

The altercation, it said, happened on a minor incident at a tea-stall. The FO said the authorities immediately intervened and took the suspects into custody.

“Attempts to paint this incident as a communal issue are patently motivated. Most importantly, the Gurdwara remains untouched and undamaged. All insinuations to the contrary, particularly the claims of acts of “desecration and destruction” and desecration of the holy place, are not only false but also mischievous,” the statement further said.

“The Government of Pakistan remains committed to upholding law and order and providing security and protection to the people, especially the minorities. The opening of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor is a manifestation of Pakistan’s special care extended to the minorities, in line with the vision of the Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah,” the Foreign Office said.

Dispute

Earlier media reports said hundreds of people surrounded a Gurdwara in Punjab’s Nankana Sahib district after police arrested a man identified as Ehsan following Friday prayers.

The situation deteriorated when a crowd gathered outside the worship place, prompting the authorities to hold negotiations with the protesters.

Ehsan’s brother told media that police violated sanctity of their house while arresting his brother and gave the issue a religious color.

According to reports, Ehsan had married a Sikh girl three months ago claiming that she had changed her religion.

Taking notice of the dispute, Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar had invited both the families to Governor’s House to get the matter resolved.

The girl was later sent to Darul Aman on a court order.