ISLAMABAD, (MILLAT/APP): Chairman Evacuee Trust Property
Board (ETPB) Siddiqul Farooq Thursday said Gandhara International
University in Taxila and Baba Guru Nanak University would be
established in Nankana Sahib.
Briefing members of National Assembly Standing Committee on
Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony here, he said he held a
meeting with Chairman Higher Eduction Commission (HEC), who agreed
to extend assistance for the educational projects.
He said land for the university in Nankana Sahib has been
acquired and the project has been approved by the federal
government and Rs. 200 million had been allocated for the
university.
Siddiqul Farooq said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has given
the go-ahead for the Gandhara university.
The university will promote research on Buddhist culture
and help boost religious tourism.
He said that the Buddhist civilization in Pakistan extends
from Taxila, Peshawar, Mardan, Swat to Gilgit-Baltistan.
Tourists from China, Japan, South Korea and Thailand were
keen to visit Buddhist sites in different parts of Pakistan.
He said ambassadors from many countries have assured of
their support for the projects.
Sikh community was also willing to provide help for the
projects of welfare of minorities.
He mentioned visit of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to
900-year old Katas Raj temple, one of the holiest sites for
Hindus, in district Chakwal.
The chairman assured that steps were being taken to look
after the religious sites of minorities.
He said Pakistan had signed four protocols with India
for visits of about 3000 Sikh and Hindu Yatrees to religious
places in Pakistan every year.
He said Yatrees from India were happy with the arrangements
made for them during their visits.
He informed that classes of Gormukhi and Hindi have been
started in schools and colleges administered by ETPB.
While later classes for languages of Chinese, Arabic and
spoken English would also begin, he added.
He said plans were afoot for selling of “Pivitar Water”
– the sacred water of Katas Raj temple, to Hindus living in
Pakistan and abroad.
Meanwhile, the Standing Committee decided to forward
the recommendations of a sub-committee, for welfare of
minorities to the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
The committee recommended that the earnings of the
Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) should be utilized on
the development and provision of services at Gurdwaras and
temples instead of investment in the banks.
MNA Hafiz Abdul Kareem chaired meeting of the Standing
Committee.
Minority members of the committee Ramesh Lal, Bhawan Das
and Lal Chand suggested different measures for the rehabilitation
of worship sites of Hindu and Sikh communities.
MNA Ali Muhammad Khan asked the ETPB chairman to visit
along with him to Gandhara sites of Takht Bhai and take steps
to ensure better care of them. These ruins of Gandhara
civilization were very attractive for Buddhists from around
the world.
The committee approved the Bill moved by Sahibzada
Tariqullah, MNA for “The Education of Holy Quran according
to recitation by sighting and with translation, learning by
heart and with correct pronunciation”.
The report of the committee on this Bill will be
presented in the National Assembly.