News Desk |
A four-storey palace was constructed in the village Bathanwala, 20 kilometers away from the New Lahore Road. The walls of the four-storey building had pictures of Guru Nanak and other Hindu rulers and Princes.
The building was constructed with bricks, sand, clay, and limestone. There were 16 large rooms in the buildings, all of which had three doors and at least four ventilators. The rooms were constructed with large broad walls with cupboards inside and had wooden doors with flowers beautifully carved on them.
The local people, however, have demanded Prime Minister Imran Khan to take action against those involved in the demolition of the ‘heritage site’.
All the rooms were airy and had small antique lamps on walls. Expensive Diyar wood beams of various sizes were used in the roofs which were worth thousands of rupees per foot. The walls of the four-story building had pictures of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism and other Hindu princes and rulers.
A local resident, Muhammad Aslam, commented: “This old building is called the Palace of Baba Guru Nanak and we have named it Mahalan. A number of Sikhs from across the world, including India, used to visit this building.”
Another local, Muhammad Ashraf, said: “The Auqaf department was informed about the demolition of the building by some influential individuals, but no officer or official took any action or even reached the premises.”
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He also claimed: “Three stories of the building have already been demolished and new houses constructed. The influential’s have demolished the building with the connivance convenience of auqaf department and sold its costly windows, doors, ventilators, and wood.” The authorities are clueless about the owners of the building, from the Deputy Commission Narowal, Evacuee Trust Property Board and to the family that lived in the building.
Narowal Deputy Commissioner, who is in charge of the record of all the properties in the region said; “There is no mention of this building in the revenue record. As it seemed to be historical, we are checking the municipal committee’s record.”
ETPB Sialkot zone Rent Collector Rana Waheed said: “Our team is investigating the Guru Nanak Mahal Bathanwala. If this palace was the property of Evacuee Trust Property Board, legal action will be taken against those responsible.”
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The local people, however, have demanded Prime Minister Imran Khan to take action against those involved in the demolition of the ‘heritage site’.