Delay in acquisition of land for proposed Guru Nanak Dev University in Pakistan

NEW DELHI - The Pakistan Government has so far not been able to acquire the land for Baba Guru Nanak International University (BGNIU) project, delaying the project that was to be constructed in 2500 acres of land at the Nankana Sahib in Pakistan’s Shikhupura District.

Prime Minister of Pakistan Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani had issued instructions on November 2008 for the acquisition of the land for the University in Nankana Sahib and was to lay the foundation stone of the university during the Baisakhi celebration in April 2010.

By establishing the University with its name based on the name of Sikh’s first spiritual master Guru Nanak Dev, the Pakistan Government intended to show their concern for the minority living in Pakistan.

The Pakistan Evacuee Trust Property Board of Pakistan (PETPB) now controls the land of Nankana Sahib, which was once given to Guru Nanak by Rai Bular Bhatti, a contemporary of the Guru Nanak, who had become his disciple. The land measures 757 murabas (approx 18,750 acres).

The 17,000 acres of land situated in Nankana Sahib was mainly leased to farmers and to the Nankana Sahib residents. However PETPB failed to reclaim even 2500 acres of land for the University even after the Pakistan Government had issued land acquisition notices to lease holders.

The proposed university was to have the best architecture, curriculum and center to carry research on Sikh and other religion and culture.

Amrican Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (AGPC) Convener Dr. Pritpal Singh already announced that AGPC would bear all the expenses on establishing the course related to Gurmat Sangeet facility.

While talking to Asian News International (ANI) from Lahore Azhar Ehsan, an Advocate and the Executive Director of BGNIU’s governing body said that the negotiation were on and hopefully PETPB would get the land required for the University. By Ravinder Singh Robin(ANI)