LAHORE – In a landmark moment for Pakistan’s Sikh heritage, the historic Gurdwara Chhatti Patshahi in Lahore’s Qinchi Chungi Amarsadhu area has reopened for religious worship after remaining silent since the 1947 Partition. Nearly eight decades after its doors fell quiet, the sacred shrine once again resonated with the recitation of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Gurbani Kirtan, and Naam Simran as members of the Sikh Sangat gathered for prayers.
The revival of religious activities follows a major operation by the local administration and police, who removed illegal occupants from the Gurdwara premises and restored possession of the historic site to the Sikh community. The development marks a significant step in the preservation of Pakistan’s Sikh religious heritage.
Pakistan has reopened the historic Gurdwara Chhatti Patshahi in #Lahore after 77 years, marking the first Sikh religious prayers here since the 1947 Partition. The reopening followed the removal of alleged illegal occupants and the handover of the site to the Sikh community. pic.twitter.com/e3PW0ipjVB
— Shiraz Hassan (@ShirazHassan) July 8, 2026
Following the Partition of the subcontinent, Gurdwara Chhatti Patshahi had remained abandoned for decades before allegedly falling under the control of land grabbers. Efforts led by Dr. Gulab Singh, with the support of the district administration and law enforcement agencies, ultimately resulted in the recovery of the shrine and its return to its rightful custodians.
Speaking after the reopening, Dr. Gulab Singh described the occasion as a historic milestone for the Sikh community. He expressed gratitude to Additional Secretary Shrines Naseer Mushtaq of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) and Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, President of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPPC) and Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs and Human Rights, for their consistent efforts in reclaiming the sacred site.
He said the dedication of the officials played a decisive role in ending decades of illegal occupation and making it possible for worshippers to once again offer prayers at one of Lahore’s historic Sikh shrines.
Dr. Gulab Singh also thanked Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif for supporting initiatives to recover and restore Gurdwaras across the province. He urged the government to begin immediate conservation and renovation work at Gurdwara Chhatti Patshahi so that its historical architecture and spiritual significance can be preserved for future generations.
