Sikh Businessman and Gurdwara President Threatened by Religious Extremists in Lahore

Lahore, Pakistan (CHAKRA)— A prominent Sikh Businessman has been receiving threats from religious extremists who have been attacking his business multiple times in the eastern city of Lahore.

Sardar Bishon Singh claims to have been threatened a multitude of times ranging from threats of death and financial loss. He served as President of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee. The threats have been in regards to staying quiet over issues.

In addition to the threats, textiles worth up to Rs 7 million was looted from his shop in Azam Cloth Market. He was very upset at the loss but even more upset after hearing threats of death numerous times thereafter.

Singh moved to Lahore from the tribal areas of Pakistan in 1993 and since has been very vocal for Sikh rights and has spoken against the Pakistani government making unjust decisions against Sikhs. Singh has been selling imported textiles in the province of Lahore since he moved there.

When Singh went to open up his store and start his daily operations as every day, he entered his store to find that the building landlords had cut off his power and constructed another shop, blocking the way to his shop.

Singh decided to look into this matter and see if the building of such a shop blocking his was even legal. He found that there was no designated space for the new shop and approached the court where he obtained a stay order. After receiving a stay order, and presenting it to his shop building owners, they threw him out of the tower and closed his shop yelling racial slurs, he stated.

When he attempted to report a complaint with the local police, instead of looking into the issue at hand, they instead looked into whether Singh belonged in Pakistan or not. They simply decided to inquire on his residency in Pakistan because he was not Muslim, implying that Pakistan is only for Muslims.

He even tried to reach Malik Owais, the Superintendent of Police of Model Town, but Mr. Owais simply stated that he had no time entertain Sikhs and had to deal with more important issues.

Singh said the next step he took was he contacted Zahid Aslam Gondal, the Deputy Secretary for law and order in Punjab but said he was not treated well.

Singh is mortified by the number of steps he has had to take yet no action has been taken to consider his safety in the country. He is upset that even when living in one of the safest cities in Pakistan, he has no protection. If this is the way he has to live, he hopes to be allowed to migrate out of the country so that he does not have to feel trapped for years to come. He says he will continue to fight for what is right and belongs to him.