Key Points
- The Evacuee Trust Property Board is credited with development and administrative management
- Banga visits ancestral home and reviews renovation work at Gurdwara Singh Sabha Khushab
- Authorities ensure secure and well-coordinated arrangements for a high-profile visit
- Visit highlights Pakistan’s efforts to safeguard minority religious sites
ISLAMABAD: World Bank President Ajay Pal Singh Banga praised Pakistan’s efforts to preserve Sikh religious heritage during a visit to his ancestral home in Khushab, where he commended the development and administrative management of Gurdwara Singh Sabha by the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB).
Banga was received by senior federal and provincial officials, including the chairman of the ETPB, before paying homage at the historic gurdwara.
During the visit, he reviewed renovation work, cleanliness standards, and administrative arrangements, and also examined ancestral revenue records linked to his family.
Ajay Pal Singh Banga, World Bank President, visits ancestral home in Khushab and Gurudwara Singh Sabha under Evacuee Trust Property Board. Praises restoration, management, religious freedom, and interfaith harmony in Pakistan🇵🇰 #ReligiousHeritage #InterfaithHarmony #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/0dDvx2Taq2
— Faizan Ali Warraich (@FaizanWarraichh) February 3, 2026
The World Bank chief appreciated the heritage management initiatives undertaken by Pakistani authorities, particularly the ETPB, and was briefed on ongoing measures aimed at preserving Sikh religious sites and facilitating pilgrims.
Officials said the visit underscored Pakistan’s commitment to safeguarding minority religious heritage and promoting an inclusive environment for communities of diverse faiths.
District civil and police administration maintained comprehensive security and logistical arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the high-profile visit, reflecting institutional coordination and preparedness.
Authorities noted that facilitating access to religious heritage sites contributes to strengthening Pakistan’s international goodwill and cultural outreach, as well as reinforcing its soft power.
The Evacuee Trust Property Board oversees numerous religious properties left behind during the 1947 partition of the subcontinent and is responsible for their maintenance, restoration, and administration, including arrangements for visiting pilgrims.
Banga’s visit is being viewed by officials as a positive signal of Pakistan’s continued engagement with international stakeholders and its emphasis on protecting shared cultural heritage.
