Deputy Mayor of Faisalabad, Ameen Butt, has issued an apology for his earlier opposition to the reopening of a Gurdwara in the city.
“A few days ago, I made comments about Sikhs and the Gurdwara which were a serious mistake. I sincerely apologise to the Sikh community and pledge not to repeat such remarks,” said Butt in a video posted on social media by the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC), on Saturday.
The PSGPC welcomed the development, highlighting Pakistan’s significance to Sikhs as a Holy Land.
Earlier, on social media, a widely shared video clip shows Butt in Pakistan’s Faisalabad opposing the reopening of a Gurdwara that has been closed for 76 years.
Challenging the authority of the Punjab government, he could be seen threatening to disrupt the reconstruction of Gurdwara.
In the video clip, he can be heard using demeaning language against the Sikh community.
In Pakistan, this incident highlights the continuous discrimination faced by minorities who are frequently subjected to severe injustices and discrimination.
Religious minorities in Pakistan (including Hindus and Sikhs) face ongoing challenges such as social exclusion, discriminatory laws, and frequent outbreaks of brutality fueled by religious extremism.
In Pakistan, Sikhs have encountered violence, discrimination, and targeted attacks. Happenings such as threats, vandalism of Gurdwaras, and physical assaults on Sikh people have been reported over the years. Also, the Sikh community has reported challenges related to property disputes and illegal occupation of Gurdwara properties.
These conflicts often involve local authorities and individuals seeking appropriate land belonging to Sikh religious sites.
(With inputs from ANI)