Islamabad: The Sub-Committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony convened a session at the Parliament Lodges to scrutinize the legal status, allegations of misuse of authority, and ongoing developments concerning Property No. U-1257, known as “Dam Dama Sahib Gurdwara” in Rawalpindi. The meeting, chaired by Senator Danesh Kumar and attended by Senators Atta ul Haq and Nasir Mehmood, highlighted concerns over the absence of key executive officials and the continuation of demolitions despite prior directives to halt such actions.

According to Senate of Pakistan, the committee expressed serious concern over the absence of the Secretary for Religious Affairs, the Chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), and the Minister, underscoring that such non-compliance weakens executive accountability. The State Minister for Religious Affairs stated that government policy governs these matters and official decisions must be prioritized. The Chairperson noted that explicit instructions had been issued at the previous meeting on October 7 to prevent demolitions until a final decision was made, yet demolitions continued.

The committee reviewed the historical and legal aspects of the 4-kanal property, which includes an inner Gurdwara premise of 2 kanals and 14 marlas, along with 31 outer commercial units. While the Gurdwara remains intact, surrounding structures are being demolished, raising concerns about administrative irregularities and bribery. An auction for the property’s development was conducted on January 9, 2024. Committee members stressed the importance of adhering to legal frameworks for all government and evacuee trust properties.

To address legal and humanitarian concerns, the committee called for a detailed list of all evacuee trust properties, including Gurdwaras and temples, to be compiled and submitted. The Chairperson emphasized that public property should not be treated as private, and a transparent resolution is necessary. An on-site inspection and a subsequent meeting with all relevant officials and stakeholders have been planned to ensure a just outcome. The session included participation from the State Minister and representatives of the ETPB.