08-Jan-2025
Bhagat Singh Memorial Foundation Pakistan Chairman Imtiaz Rasheed Qureshi sent a legal notice on January 8 to Tariq Majeed, Chief Public Relations Officer of the Metropolitan Corporation Lahore and a retired Pakistan armed forces veteran, demanding INR 50 crore in damages and an unconditional apology. The notice accuses Majeed of defaming Qureshi by alleging he received foreign funding and labeling freedom fighter Bhagat Singh as a "criminal." Qureshi, described in the notice as a patriot working to improve India-Pakistan relations, denied taking foreign funds and referenced Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah's praise for Bhagat Singh to refute Majeed's remarks.
07-Jan-2025
Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, chief of the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), on January 7 congratulated Pakistan on its election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Pannun urged Pakistan to support the Sikh community's demand for Khalistan, drawing parallels to Pakistan’s advocacy for Kashmir’s self-determination. He claimed that Pakistan's UNSC position could amplify global dialogue on self-determination and commended its stance on Kashmir as a precedent.
31-Dec-2024
A report by The Washington Post on December 31 alleged that India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) has carried out a covert assassination program targeting six individuals in Pakistan since 2021. The operations reportedly relied on local intermediaries and informal financial networks to maintain deniability. While the missions in Pakistan were deemed successful, similar attempts in Western nations, including on Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, were reportedly thwarted by advanced counterintelligence measures. The report drew comparisons between RAW's tactics and those of Israel's Mossad, amid public accusations from Pakistan and consistent denials by India.
24-Dec-2024
The Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF), a pro-Khalistan militant organization led by Ranjeet Singh alias Neeta, operates in coordination with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to pursue its goal of establishing a sovereign Khalistan state. Banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and in the European Union, KZF has been involved in attacks on public transport, police facilities, and religious leaders in India and abroad. Neeta, declared a terrorist in 2020, is linked to cross-border arms smuggling and faces an Interpol Red Corner Notice.
06-Dec-2024
Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on December 6 registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Sikh journalist Harmeet Singh, accusing him of spreading misleading propaganda against state institutions. The FIR alleges that his posts covering the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protests incited violence and terrorism. Harmeet has denied the accusations, citing a lack of evidence and claiming he is being targeted as a minority journalist.
14-Nov-2024
Pakistan Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Secretary Fareed Iqbal, Additional Secretary Shrines Saifullah Khokhar, and Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (PSGPC) president Ramesh Singh Arora on November 14 welcomed over 2,550 Sikh pilgrims from India at the Wagah Border. The pilgrims arrived in Pakistan to participate in the festivities celebrating the 555th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, with the main event scheduled at Gurdwara Janamasthan in Nankana Sahib, Pakistan.
10-Nov-2024
According to intelligence sources, the financially struggling Pakistan government has directed the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) to centralise all religious donations ahead of the 555th Parkash Purb of Guru Nanak Dev. As part of this move, the PSGPC has reportedly removed donation boxes and billboards from other Sikh organizations, including karsewa groups, at prominent gurdwaras like Gurdwara Nankana Sahib and Gurdwara Punjab Sahib, ensuring that all donations are now routed through PSGPC-designated boxes.
30-Oct-2024
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, on October 30 in Lahore, announced a waiver on visa fees for Sikh pilgrims from the United States (US), Canada, and the United Kingdom (UK).
23-Oct-2024
A spokesperson for the Punjab government in Pakistan announced on October 23 that Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved a distribution of PKR 10,000 to 2,200 Sikh and Hindu families in the province as part of a 'festival card' initiative ahead of Guru Nanak's birth anniversary and Diwali. This financial aid aims to support the celebration of these religious festivals, with special arrangements being made for foreign pilgrims visiting for Guru Nanak Dev's 555th birth anniversary. The government has outlined plans for transport, accommodation, and food services to ensure a smooth experience for the pilgrims.
22-Oct-2024
India and Pakistan on October 22 extended the validity of their agreement on the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor for another five years, ensuring uninterrupted access for Indian pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan. India also urged Pakistan to waive the USD 20 service charge imposed on each pilgrim. Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar confirmed the renewal and reaffirmed the government's commitment to facilitating Sikh pilgrims' access to their holy sites.
07-Oct-2024
Ramesh Singh Arora, the first Sikh provincial minister of Pakistan’s Punjab, announced on October 7 that a significant number of Sikh diaspora members are expected to visit Pakistan for Guru Nanak Dev's 555th birth anniversary celebrations. He attributed this to friendly policies, streamlined visa facilitation, and development projects at gurdwaras. Arora, who also heads the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC), noted that over 15,000 Sikh pilgrims are anticipated, with overall attendance expected to exceed 60,000.
30-Sep-2024
The government of Pakistan’s Punjab province, along with Punjab's first Sikh minister, Ramesh Singh Arora, on September 30 in Lahore, advised Indian Sikhs visiting the country to carry US dollars instead of Indian currency due to complaints of unfair exchange rates. The advisory was issued following multiple reports of exploitation. Arora also urged Indian Sikhs not to pay extra fees to group leaders during their visits for religious festivities, including the upcoming 555th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev on November 14.
22-Sep-2024
The two-day commemoration of the 485th Joti Jot anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji concluded at Gurdwara Sri Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur in Pakistan on September 22. The event featured a Nagar Kirtan procession to the India-Pakistan border, the unveiling of a statue of Bhai Mardana, and the sowing of seeds under the "Kheti Sahib" initiative.
01-Sep-2024
Ramesh Singh Arora, Punjab’s Sikh Minority Affairs Minister in Pakistan, on September 1 launched a PKR 88-crore project aimed at enhancing religious tourism by upgrading facilities at gurdwaras in Punjab Province. The initiative includes constructing 100 rooms at Gurdwara Janamasthan in Nankana Sahib and renovating other key gurdwaras to attract global Sikh pilgrims. Arora emphasized the project's completion by November 2025 to coincide with Guru Nanak Dev’s birth anniversary celebrations. The government is also setting up botanical gardens and initiating karsewas to further enhance the appeal of these sacred sites.
10-Aug-2024
On August 11, Pakistan’s Sikhs and Hindus decided to observe 'National Minority Day' to highlight issues such as untouchability, attacks, and discrimination against them in Pakistan. The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) pledged its support to raise these concerns. Pakistani rights activist Imran Chatha called for accountability for those harming minority communities, while Jaskaran Singh Sidhu of Gurdwara Babe Di Ber announced meetings with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Punjab Province Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to seek enhanced safety and security.
03-Aug-2024
According to sources, Sikhs and Hindus in Pakistan have launched a campaign to amend the Succession Act of 1925, arguing that it unfairly limits inheritance rights for their communities, particularly for women. Prof. Kalyan Singh Kalyan emphasized that the Act, originally designed for Christians, fails to ensure equal inheritance rights for Sikhs and Hindus. Pushpa Kumari from the Human Rights Commission (HRC) noted that the current law often results in property being transferred to male relatives rather than daughters, underscoring the need for legal reform to address these inequalities.
27-Jul-2024
The Punjab provincial government in Pakistan recently approved the Punjab Sikh Anand Karaj Marriage Registrar Rules 2024, marking a historic first in the implementation of such legislation. Engaged Sikh couples are eagerly seeking to be the first to register their marriages under the newly enacted Sikh Marriage Act of 2024. This new Act allows for the official registration of Sikh marriages, a significant change from the previous practice of only recording marriages in gurdwaras.
24-Jul-2024
The Cabinet of the Pakistan government introduced visa-on-arrival privileges on July 24 for Sikhs holding passports from countries other than India and waived visa fees for travelers from 126 nations. This initiative aims to boost tourism and generate revenue, specifically targeting Sikh pilgrims visiting historic gurdwaras in Pakistan.
19-Jul-2024
According to the 2023 Population and Housing Census by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the Hindu population in Pakistan increased from 3.5 million in 2017 to 3.8 million in 2023, although their share of the total population decreased from 1.73% to 1.61%. The Christian population grew from 2.6 million to 3.3 million, while the Sikh and Parsi populations were 15,998 and 2,348, respectively. Pakistan's total population rose from 207.68 million in 2017 to 240.46 million in 2023.
15-Jul-2024
According to sources, only two of the five Sikh hardliners from India's list of 20 most-wanted men, who were released after the 2001 Parliament House attack, remain alive and are believed to be hiding in Pakistan under government patronage. Wadhawan Singh Babbar, over 70 years old, leads the Khalistani terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and is involved in the Punjab insurgency, wanted for numerous serious crimes. Ranjit Singh Neeta, leader of another terror outfit, Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF), faces charges including murder and arms smuggling. Recent intelligence suggests Pakistan may be reviving its "bleed India" strategy, marked by military ambushes in Jammu and sightings of suspicious individuals near border districts.
14-Jul-2024
Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs and President of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, highlighted efforts to reclaim lands belonging to minority worship places in Punjab province, Pakistan, following the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. He praised recent actions reclaiming the pond at Gurdwara Babe Di Beri in Sialkot from illegal occupants, which had been under land mafia control for 77 years.
10-Jul-2024
According to sources, there is an alleged plot within the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to replace Ramesh Singh Arora, Punjab's first Sikh minister and current president of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC), with a Christian minister in Pakistan's Minority Affairs Office, a position historically held by a Christian. Critics, including a faction within PML-N, accuse Arora of misconduct and have called for his dismissal to restore the position to a Christian.
09-Jul-2024
Kartarpur Management Unit Deputy Secretary Saifullah Khokhar stated on July 9 that Pakistan has completed the 420-meter-long bridge at the Kartarpur Corridor zero line, overcoming a two-and-a-half-year delay. The completion prepares the bridge for use pending the finalization of a 10-feet section on the Indian side. Initiated to provide a flood-resistant route to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib for Sikh pilgrims, the project, costing PKR 4.53 million, was funded by Pakistan's Public Development Fund with construction by the Frontier Works Organisation and National Engineering Services Pakistan.
09-Jul-2024
Pakistani cricketer Kamran Akmal apologised for his controversial remarks about Arshdeep Singh’s Sikh religion on live TV, acknowledging his mistake in an interview.
03-Jul-2024
Khalistani terrorist Gajinder Singh, who led the group that hijacked an Indian Airlines aircraft to Lahore in 1981 and was one of the most-wanted persons in the records of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA), passed away at the age of 73 after a brief illness in Lahore, Pakistan, on July 3. He was the founder of the separatist organization Dal Khalsa and had spent 14 years in a Pakistani prison for the hijacking. Since his release in 1995, Gajinder had been living in exile. After the terror attack on the Indian Parliament in 2001, the UMHA released a list of 20 people to Pakistan for extradition, with Gajinder being one of them.
06-Feb-2024
According to reports, the Sikh Federation UK (SFUK), which aims to advocate for Sikh identity in the United Kingdom (UK) census, is facing scrutiny for its perceived disconnect from Sikh principles. Recent reports highlight a decline in the exclusive identification as 'Sikh' ethnicity, casting doubt on SFUK's agenda. The organization's promotion of Khalistan and its hostility towards Lord Indarjit Singh's stance on census classification raise concerns about its alignment with extremist factions and its commitment to Sikh values. It is imperative for mainstream Sikhs to reclaim the narrative, prioritize genuine educational efforts, and safeguard the essence of Sikhism from misappropriation by fringe elements within SFUK.
03-Feb-2024
According to reports, the case of Jagtar Singh Johal, a United Kingdom (UK) citizen imprisoned in India since November 2017 on allegations of being a Khalistani operative, has become a point of contention between the UK and India, impacting bilateral relations. Johal faces multiple charges, including murder and terrorism, and UK officials are pushing for a swift resolution. Despite regular consular visits, his family and lawyers argue that there is no concrete evidence against him, claiming he was merely an internet marketer. Meanwhile, his associates are actively campaigning through media, political lobbying, and international organizations for his release.
28-Jan-2024
A meeting is scheduled to take place on January 30 after Preet Kaur Gill, a Member of Parliament (MP) from the United Kingdom (UK) Labour Party, raised concerns about an 'intelligence hit list,' which targets 20 Sikhs, including six British Sikhs, who have been labelled as enemies of the state by Indian media. According to reports, some Sikh activists have received Osman warnings due to threats, harassment, and intimidation. There are fears of transnational repression following evidence linking the Indian government to the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Both the Indian embassy in London and the UK government have declined to comment on the matter.
28-Jan-2024
Ancient House Museum has been awarded nearly GBP 200,000 in grant by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to mark the legacy of Maharaja Duleep Singh, the last ruler of the Sikh empire, in Thetford in Norfolk in the United Kingdom (UK). Founded in 1924 by Prince Frederick Duleep Singh, the museum will use the grant to narrate the family's story through various displays.
26-Jan-2024
On January 26, India's Republic Day, members of the Khalistani terrorist outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) staged a protest in London, United Kingdom (UK), calling for Punjab's independence and denouncing the policies of Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi. Paramjit Singh Pamma, an SFJ leader, reaffirmed their commitment to resist Modi's regime and strive for independence.
23-Jan-2024
According to sources, Human Rights barrister Michael Polak, who was involved in both the Litvinenko case and the death of Khalistani terrorist Avtar Singh Khanda in Birmingham, United Kingdom (UK), has urged the UK Home Secretary to investigate Khanda's sudden demise. While West Midlands Police cited acute myeloid leukaemia as the cause of death, Polak suspects foul play, pointing to alleged negligence in the police investigation. Khanda, a supporter of the Khalistan movement, faced threats from Indian security services, leading to suspicions of potential poisoning linked to his activism. The family was denied access to the body, and a RAW agent allegedly left the UK after Khanda's death. West Midlands Police maintains it was a natural death.
18-Jan-2024
According to reports, a cross-party group of United Kingdom (UK) Members of Parliament, including Labour MPs Preet Kaur Gill, Afzal Khan, and Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi; Conservative Caroline Nokes; and SNP's Kirsten Oswald and Martin Docherty-Hughes, have urgently requested a meeting with Security Minister Tom Tugendhat via a letter. The request follows reports of "threat to life warnings" given to British Sikhs amid rising concerns about their treatment globally by the Indian government. The letter cites instances such as the alleged extrajudicial killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada and a plot to assassinate another Khalistani terrorist, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, in the United States (US). The MPs seek reassurance and discuss measures to protect the British Sikh community from unlawful threats.
14-Jan-2024
According to sources, Sikhs living in the United Kingdom (UK) have reportedly received Osman notices, in which West Midlands police warn of a 'threat to life' against them, amid heightened tensions over the separatist movement in India. The warning follows calls for a deeper investigation into the sudden death of Khalistani terrorist Avtar Singh Khanda in Birmingham, UK, in June 2023. Sikh leaders in Britain cautioned that the Indian government is suppressing dissent within the diaspora.
13-Jan-2024
According to reports, British Sikh activist Kaldip Singh Lehal alias Deepa Singh, was detained at Gatwick Airport in London, United Kingdom (UK), under Section 7 of the Terrorism Act on December 25, 2023. He claimed that he was targeted for his activism. Singh, who had previously faced home raids in 2018, alleged the suppression of voices critical of UK-India collusion in Sikh repression. Counter Terrorism Policing South East confirmed the stop but didn't disclose details or confirm Singh's identity.
04-Jan-2024
United Kingdom (UK) Sikh Member of Parliament (MP) Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi hosted a meeting with his Canadian counterpart, Iqwinder Singh Gaheer, in Slough, UK. Discussions covered various aspects of international politics, global Sikh concerns, and opportunities to strengthen bilateral ties. Both MPs emphasized the importance of cross-border dialogue, committing to ongoing constructive engagements for the betterment of their communities and fostering stronger ties between Canada and the UK.
03-Jan-2024
According to sources, Neil O’Brien, a Senior Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) representing Harborough and a former minister, has written to the United Kingdom (UK) Home Secretary James Cleverly expressing concern over the death of Khalistani terrorist Avtar Singh Khanda in Birmingham in 2023. O'Brien questions the lack of a thorough investigation by West Midlands police, despite initial claims of an inquiry.
20-Dec-2023
The family of Khalistani terrorist Avtar Singh Khanda urged the United Kingdom (UK) Home Office to appoint an independent police force to investigate his sudden death in June which coincided with Sikh separatist incidents in Canada and the United States (US), as revealed by Khanda’s family lawyer, Michael Polak. According to Polak, questions about the West Midlands police's handling of the case have arisen, leading the family to request the involvement of another police force.
15-Dec-2023
According to a report published on December 15 by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), in the 2021 census for England and Wales in the United Kingdom (UK), nearly 1 lakh respondents identified as Sikh in the "ethnicity" category instead of choosing "British Indian." Of the total, 18.6% identified as Sikh through both the ethnic and religion questions, 0.3% through only the ethnic question, and 81.1% through the voluntary religion question. The total number of Sikhs in England and Wales increased by 22% from the 2011 census, reaching 5.25 lakh, with concerns raised about the accuracy of the count by the Sikh Federation UK.
08-Dec-2023
On December 8, a 34-year-old man of Punjab origin, Joshpal Singh Kothiria, who was part of a four-member drug smuggling gang, was sentenced to three years in prison in the United Kingdom (UK). The Wolverhampton Crown Court in Wolverhampton, UK, convicted him of conspiring to supply cocaine and cannabis from the Netherlands to the UK and Ireland. The gang, busted by the National Crime Agency (NCA), included Anthony Terry, who organized the drug importation, leading to the seizure of GBP 1.6 million worth of cocaine in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in February 2021.
04-Dec-2023
A 58-year-old Sikh man, Inderjit Singh, was assaulted on December 4 in a hate crime by a group of teenage boys in Slough, United Kingdom (UK). The incident occurred in Langley Memorial Park, where Singh was kicked, pulled to the ground, and his beard was attempted to be grabbed by offenders aged 13-16. Singh sustained three broken ribs and injuries to his hand. The Thames Valley Police are treating the case as a hate crime and are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.
04-Dec-2023
According to a report by the United Kingdom (UK) daily The Guardian released on December 4, Khalistani terrorist Avtar Singh Khanda, who was based in the UK, claimed harassment by Indian police and threats to his family in Punjab before his sudden death in June. The report indicates that Khanda's associates suspected foul play in his death, suggesting poisoning. The Guardian's investigation questions the West Midlands police's initial statement, highlighting alleged lapses in the probe.
26-Nov-2023
United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister (PM) Rishi Sunak on November 26 extended Guru Nanak Jayanti wishes, acknowledging his personal connection to the occasion as someone with Punjabi roots. Sunak praised the significant contributions of the Sikh community to the UK, expressing pride and inspiration. Born to a Hindu Punjabi family with ties to Ludhiana and pre-Partition Gujranwala, Sunak emphasized the celebration of Guru Nanak Dev Ji's 554th birth anniversary.
19-Nov-2023
Sikh Member of Parliament (MP) Tanmanjit Singh Dhesi recently received death threats after abstaining from voting on a resolution regarding the Gaza-Israel conflict in the United Kingdom (UK). One person has been arrested in connection with the death threats.
17-Nov-2023
The Metropolitan Police on November 17 arrested four British Sikh men, identified as Amandeep Singh, Manjit Singh, Ajmeer Singh, and Poran Singh in connection with the murder of British Sikh teenager Simarjeet Singh Nangpal in London, United Kingdom (UK). They are scheduled to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on November 18.
16-Nov-2023
The Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM), Dr S Jaishankar, on November 16 delivered a stern warning to the United Kingdom (UK) government at a press conference held at the High Commission of India in London, UK. He cautioned against the misuse of freedom of expression by Khalistani extremists to threaten diplomatic missions, specifically referencing incidents involving the Indian High Commission.
15-Nov-2023
A 17-year-old British Sikh teenager, identified as Simarjeet Singh Nangpal, was stabbed to death in a street fight near the Hounslow area of London in the United Kingdom (UK) on November 15. In connection with the murder, four individuals aged 21, 27, 31, and 71 have been arrested. To address community concerns, there is a heightened police presence in the area.
15-Nov-2023
During the visit of Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar to the United Kingdom (UK), which concluded on November 15, Jaishankar raised India's concerns about the misuse of freedom of expression by those propagating Khalistan in meetings with UK officials. The visit emphasized the importance of addressing these concerns while strengthening bilateral ties and touched upon various global and regional issues, including ongoing free trade agreement negotiations and cricket diplomacy.
15-Nov-2023
The Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on November 15 stated that India is open to an investigation but urged Canada to provide evidence supporting its allegations of Indian government involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, during a conversation with veteran journalist Lionel Barber titled 'How a Billion People See the World' in London, United Kingdom (UK). Jaishankar emphasized that Canada has not shared any evidence to date.
11-Nov-2023
Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on November 11 embarked on a five-day visit to the United Kingdom (UK) to review bilateral ties, including preparations for a potential visit to India by British Prime Minister (PM) Rishi Sunak. The countries share a growing partnership, highlighted by the 2021 launch of the India-UK comprehensive strategic partnership and the India-UK Roadmap 2030.
07-Nov-2023
Top lawyers in the United Kingdom (UK) have urged Foreign Office Minister Lord Ahmad to retract his statement that British Sikh Jagtar Singh Johal, detained in India since 2017 on terror charges, would receive 'due process' in the Indian legal system. They express concerns over the lack of due process, citing allegations of torture and politically motivated charges. Johal faces a potential death penalty and has been held without credible evidence, prompting calls for his immediate release by more than 70 MPs, while the UK government continues to provide consular assistance and raise his case with the Indian government.