Lahore:
The Punjab government has launched an initiative to restore historic Sikhs and Hindu religious sites in Gujranwala and Wazirabad.
The sites include the Tomri Mandir, Jain Mandir, the Ranjit Singh Museum and Dhonkal Baoli, which will be open to the faithful, to citizens and tourists to present the diversified cultural and religious heritage of the region.
The provincial secretary of tourism, archeology and museums, Dr. Ehsan Bhutta, said that Gujranwala is known as the “heritage city” and that the government plans to keep the monuments and establish new museums and galleries.
The Gujranwala museum building should be completed by January, with preparations for exhibitions to be concluded by March for officially opened the installation in April.
The director of archeology Hassan Ali described projects as “accounts of our shared past”, noting the Tomri Mandir of Moghale inspiration, the bonds of Jain Mandir with Jainism and the role of Ranjit Singh Museum in the preservation of the heritage of the Sikh Empire. The Dhonkal Baoli, he added, was once a vital source of water and a social hub.
Stwant Kaur, secretary general of the Pakistani committee Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak, said that restoration would promote interconfessional harmony and global recognition of Punjab heritage.
