Sikh delegation led by Sarna crosses over to Pakistan to meet PM and President

JAGMOHAN SINGH
Thursday, 21 May 2009
AMRITSAR: Thirteen members delegation led by Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Parmajit Singh Sarna Thursday went to Pakistan to take up the matter of Hindu and Sikh families who were rendered homeless by the Taliban in Pakistan’s in the North Western Frontier Province (NWFP) in Swat valley.

Sarna before crossing over to Pakistan said that he along with his delegation of senior executive of DSGMC were going to Pakistan to meet Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and President Asif Ali Zardari to take up the matter of Hindu and Sikh families who were still turning pillar to post for two square meals after being rendered by Talibans.

Sarna said, “We have plan to meet Pakistan’s prime minister and President with regard to the adequate arrangement of Homeless Sikh and Hindu families for their rehabilitation besides economic help. Presently most of the uprooted families were taking shelter at various
Sikh shrines in Pakistan including Nankana Sahib, Panja Sahib and Gurdwdara Dera Sahib”.

Sarna said that DSGMC has passed resolution to contribute help of Rs. 2 crore and would seek permission from Pakistan authorities to disburse amount among the affected families. Sarna said that they were on fifteen days visa to Pakistan.

Earlier on May 1, SGPC (Shriomani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee) President Avtar Singh Makkar in letter to Prime Minister Dr. Mamnmohan Singh has urged him to force Pakistan Government to protect Sikh minority against fiendishness of Talibans.

Makkar in his letter said that the barbarous activities of Talibans have committed another outrage of pulling downs houses of innocent Sikh families in Pakistan in retaliation to the refusal of Sikhs to pay jazia.

It may be mentioned here that last month on April 30 Taliban outfit had demolished 11 homes of members of the minority Sikh community in Pakistan's troubled Aurakzai tribal region after they failed to pay jiziya or a tax levied on non-Muslims.

Sikhs were rendered homeless on the orders of Taliban commander Hakeemullah Mehsud, the head of the militants in Aurakzai Agency and a deputy of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan chief Baitullah Mehsud. The militants acted after a deadline set by them for payment of jiziya by the Sikhs expired on April 30. Sikhs were living in Aurakzai Agency for centuries; the Taliban asked them earlier this month to pay Rs 50 million a year as jiziya. The militants claimed this was being done as Shariah or Islamic law had been enforced in the area and all non-Muslims had to pay "protection money".

There are about 35 Sikh families living in Ferozkhel near Merozai in Aurakzai Agency.

with thanks : source : http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/view/16762/38/

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