The foundation stone of Baba Guru Nanak International University has been laid in Nankana Sahib, the birth place of founder of Sikhism Baba Guru Nanak Dev, in Pakistan’s Punjab province, more that a decade after its construction proposal first surfaced.
The foundation stone of the university was laid by PunjabChief Minister Usman Buzdar on Friday and would be completed with an amount ofover Rs 258 crores spread over 10 acres.
The government however has not yet declared about thetentative period the varsity would be built.
“The construction of the BGNU will begin once the legalformalities in this regard are met,” an official of the Punjab government toldPTI on Saturday. He said the work onthis project will begin soon since the Nankana Sahib falls in the constituencyof Federal Interior Minister Brig (R) Ijaz Shah.
“Brig Shah is a powerful minister in PM Imran Khan’scabinet and on his invitation Punjab CM Buzdar came to Nankana Sahib and laidthe foundation stone of the BGNIU,” he said.
Brig Shah recently took over as the interior minister.
During the occasion, Buzdar said various neglected districtslike Nankana Sahib will be brought at par with the developed cities.
“Establishment of Baba Guru Nanak University in NankanaSahib is the part of prime minister’s vision to facilitate students in NankanaSahib and other adjoining districts,” he said. The decision to construct theuniversity came after the Sikhs living in Pakistan demanded a university afterthe name of the founder of theirreligion Baba Guru Nanak at his birthplace in Nankana Sahib.
The proposal of the university was first surfaced in thePunjab government of Pervaiz Elahi in 2003.
Two years ago in the government of PML-N, the Evacuee TrustProperty Board (ETPB) gave a final approval to the project.
Then ETPB chairman Siddiqul Farooq said this varsity wouldhelp promote religious tourism in Pakistan and also portray country’s goodimage at international level.
Earlier this year, for the first time a Pakistani universityhad created the Baba Guru Nanak research chair to promote the message of peacethat the Sikh spiritual leader preached.
A motel of the Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab(TDCP) was also inaugurated in Nankana Sahib by the Punjab CM to promotereligious tourism.
Buzdar also laid the foundation stone of a road repairproject in Nankana Sahib district thatwill be completed with Rs 150 million.
“A dual road will also be laid from Gurdawara TanbooSahib to Gurdwara Janam Asthaan. The road connecting the Guru Nanak Universityto Nankana-Warburton Road will also be constructed,” a senior officialsaid. PTI