Former Pak Sikh Gurdwara Parbandak Committee President Arrested?

[superkaur]

A Pakistani Punjab police spokesperson said Mr. Mastan was arrested under blasphemy law. However, he did not specify when the arrest was made.

A former Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandak Committee president has been arrested under blasphemy law for allegedly attacking a Gurdwara in Nankana Sahib in the Punjab province and chanting anti-Pakistan slogans.

Police have registered a blasphemy case against Sardar Mastan Singh and his 25 accomplices, mostly Sikhs, for allegedly attacking a Gurdwara in Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Sikhisms founder Guru Nanak, on the complaint of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandak Committee (PSGPC) incumbent president Sardar Sham Singh.

A Punjab police spokesperson said Mr. Mastan was arrested under blasphemy law. However, he did not specify when the arrest was made.

Nankana City Police have registered an FIR against Mastan Singh and 25 of his accomplices under sections 123A (anti-state slogans) 295A (injuring or defiling places of worship) of Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). Some other sections of PPC have also been included in the FIR, Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Deputy Director (shrines) Imran Khan told PTI on Saturday.

He said Mr. Mastan was arrested on Friday and the police is carrying out raids to nab other suspects.

Mr. Khan said Mr. Mastan and his accomplices had attacked a Gurdwara and smashed windows and doors of some rooms when the festivities on the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak were underway last month.

A source in ETPB, which looks after the holy places of minorities in the country, said the action against Mr. Mastan had been taken for protesting before the government functionaries in Nankana Sahib.

Mastan is paying for his violent protest, he said.

A few years ago Mr. Mastan was arrested in Lahore for allegedly embezzling Rs 500,000 when he was PSGPC chief.

Mr. Mastans counsel had pleaded that the ETPB senior official had a personal grudge against Mr. Mastan and they wanted to settle an old score with him.

He was later released as the department could not prove the charges against him.

[superkaur]

whats going on here then? really strange

[chatanga]

unfortunately Pakistani Sikhs have become factionalised and are fighting each other rather than concentrating on more important issues for the Sikh Panth.

[superkaur]

This incident if handled incorrectly by the muslim authorities of pakistan could be exploited by Indian intelligence agencies to create insurrection amoung pakistani Sikhs which would only benefit India but could also help Sikhs wake up from just demanding Khalistan from India and start focusing eyes on pakistani occupied punjab also.

Interesting how this plays out

[chatanga]

This incident if handled incorrectly by the muslim authorities of pakistan could be exploited by Indian intelligence agencies to create insurrection amoung pakistani Sikhs

Do you think its feasible for a minority community like the Sikhs in Pakistan, who number only around 25,000 in a country of 180 million, to create any kind of insurrection?

The issues concerning the Pakistani Sikhs is one that has been happening for a few years now, but has recently progressed out of the community to involve state apparatus. It's a dangerous development and I hope they sort it out sooner rather than later. We have enough problems in Pakistan as it is, without the Sikhs fighting one another.

[Jonny101]

This incident if handled incorrectly by the muslim authorities of pakistan could be exploited by Indian intelligence agencies to create insurrection amoung pakistani Sikhs which would only benefit India but could also help Sikhs wake up from just demanding Khalistan from India and start focusing eyes on pakistani occupied punjab also.

Interesting how this plays out

There is nothing smart about fighting on two fronts. The Sikh strategy should be like that of the Kurds. Be friends and take help from who is willing to help but become pawns of nobody.

[superkaur]

There is nothing smart about fighting on two fronts. The Sikh strategy should be like that of the Kurds. Be friends and take help from who is willing to help but become pawns of nobody.

Yup not wise to fight on 2 fronts but sensing opportunity If Indian government is devious enough they will exploit this and start to fund a Sikh rebellion in pakistani occupied punjab. If Pakistani government is smart they will make life very good for pakistani Sikhs and cater for their every needs so that they will never want to break away.

This is why this situation is interesting as now for the first time we are seeing a small number of pakistani Sikhs are not happy with the state because of the discrimination, injustice and victimisation they are suffering at the hands of the muslim authorities.

And as Sikhs we should stand as one and give support to our victimised Sikh brothers and sisters in any part of the world they come under oppression.

[Jonny101]

Yup not wise to fight on 2 fronts but sensing opportunity If Indian government is devious enough they will exploit this and start to fund a Sikh rebellion in pakistani occupied punjab. If Pakistani government is smart they will make life very good for pakistani Sikhs and cater for their every needs so that they will never want to break away.

This is why this situation is interesting as now for the first time we are seeing a small number of pakistani Sikhs are not happy with the state because of the discrimination, injustice and victimisation they are suffering at the hands of the muslim authorities.

And as Sikhs we should stand as one and give support to our victimised Sikh brothers and sisters in any part of the world they come under oppression.

Sikh population on Pakistan is way too small for a rebellion. Maybe only 50k or so from all estimates. And from what I have heard, of all minorities in Pakistan, Sikhs are treated the best. Much better than Christian, Hindus, Ahmadis. When Sikh pilgrims to go Pakistan they are guarded by the most trained soldiers of the Pak army and also treated well by the locals who make them feel at home.

Pakistanis and Sikhs are strategic allies. I know all of this seems like a contradiction especially if we see the views of the uk Sikhs here who have had bad experiences with Mirpuris. But generally Panthic Sikhs and our Panthic leadership have a positive view of Muslims and have good relations with them.

Events in 84 has done much to push Sikhs and Muslims closer

[chatanga]

Yup not wise to fight on 2 fronts but sensing opportunity If Indian government is devious enough they will exploit this and start to fund a Sikh rebellion in pakistani occupied punjab..

You seem to be a little mistaken on the nature of Pakistani Sikhs if you don't mind me saying. They are not the kind of people who would be susceptible to any kind of rebellion, especially in a country where they are in a minority amongst minority's. These Sikhs are mainly traders and businessmen, they prefer to keep a low profile and get on with their lives.

Not to mention that the situation is very precarious for muslims, nevermind the minorities that live there. In the case of the Sikhs, it wouldn't take much effort from the Taliban types to extend the Afghan Sikh situation to Pakistan.

What did you have in mind when you were talking of rebellion in terms of purpose?

. If Pakistani government is smart they will make life very good for pakistani Sikhs and cater for their every needs so that they will never want to break away.

There is no chance of Pakistani Sikhs breaking away from Pakistan. They have a population of about 10 small villages or 2 big villages, in the whole country.

This is why this situation is interesting as now for the first time we are seeing a small number of pakistani Sikhs are not happy with the state because of the discrimination, injustice and victimisation they are suffering at the hands of the muslim authorities.

The Sikhs there have issue with the Wakaf board who have been misappropriating Gurdwara estates, inc land and buildings and making a lot of money from it, more than the state authorities.

It's good to see the Sikhs there demanding that the Waqaf board lives up to its responsibilities