Pakistan’s Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), established under the legal framework of the 1975 Act and rooted in earlier post-Partition agreements such as the Nehru-Liaquat Pact of 1950 and the Pant-Mirza Agreement of 1955, serves as the primary governmental custodian for properties and religious sites left behind by Hindus and Sikhs who migrated to India after 1947. This statutory body manages a vast portfolio of evacuee trust assets, including agricultural lands, urban properties, educational institutions, and most importantly, historical Sikh gurdwaras and Hindu shrines across Pakistan, with a strong concentration in what was historically West Punjab.
One of its core mandates is the preservation and administration of these religious places while facilitating pilgrimages for Sikh and Hindu yatrees during major festivals, as outlined in its Shrines Branch functions. In practice, the ETPB oversees key Sikh sites such as Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib, Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal, Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, and various shrines in Lahore. It handles day-to-day maintenance, restoration projects, and infrastructure for pilgrims, including free lodging facilities on shrine premises. Revenue generated from leasing evacuee lands and properties helps fund these efforts alongside social services like schools and hospitals. For the Kartarpur Corridor, the Board operates a dedicated Project Management Unit that coordinates operations under the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, ensuring logistical support for visitors when the corridor is active. The ETPB also coordinates with the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (PSGPC), which was formed in 1999 and functions under its administrative umbrella.
Unlike India’s elected SGPC, the PSGPC is not fully independent, reflecting the ETPB’s overarching control over Sikh religious institutions in Pakistan. This arrangement has enabled the facilitation of Sikh pilgrimages even amid bilateral tensions, with the ETPB announcing schedules for events like Guru Nanak’s Prakash Purab or other Gurpurabs and coordinating with Indian authorities for jathas visiting Nankana Sahib and other sites. Official statements from ETPB leadership frequently emphasize commitment to protecting minority religious sites and promoting interfaith harmony through heritage tourism. However, the Board has faced criticisms over the years, including allegations of mismanagement, land encroachments by influential parties, discrepancies in property records, and limited Sikh community autonomy in decision-making. Debates have also arisen around the exact number of historical gurdwaras and instances where control of sites like Kartarpur involved shifts in oversight, drawing reactions from Sikh diaspora groups who advocate for greater community-led management.
Despite these challenges, the ETPB remains central to the preservation of West Punjab’s Sikh heritage. Its role in maintaining architectural and cultural landmarks tied to Guru Nanak and other Gurus supports ongoing calls for enhanced international protections, such as potential UNESCO recognition, and expanded access for global pilgrims. As a key player in Pakistan’s approach to minority religious properties, understanding the ETPB’s functions sheds light on the practical realities of safeguarding these sacred spaces in a complex geopolitical and administrative landscape. For journalists, advocates, and heritage researchers, it highlights both the opportunities for cultural diplomacy and the need for transparent, inclusive governance to honor Punjab’s shared legacy.
Referance:Wikipedia