This is the third letter sent to P.M Imran Khan via mail in April 2019, asking him to protect Kartarpur Sahib as an ecological and heritage village of Baba Nanak by not constructing on the 104 acres fields that Baba Nanak tilled with his own two hands and protecting them for all times to come. We still wait for an answer.

April 2nd 2019
Mr. Imran Khan
Prime Minister of Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Islamabad, P A K I S T A N

Dear Sir,

I am writing to convey that the Sikhs world over fear an irreparable loss of heritage during ongoing construction work at Kartarpur Sahib, and to convey their earnest wish for dedicating Kartarpur Sahib as a heritage village, preserving it for the sake of our future generations.

Our children would want to connect to Baba Nanak’s Kartarpur - in the way he lived, farmed and taught. They would never want to see it crowded by modern, unsightly commercial buildings that deprive the land of its true spirit, history, rich cultural, and religious heritage. They would not be interested in visiting another concrete jungle or huge marbleized structures.

The land that Baba Nanak tilled with his own hands for eighteen long years, the forests surrounding it and the look and feel of ancient Kartarpur will be far more appealing and sacred to them. This is the heritage we are asking to preserve for our future generations. It will also safeguard chances of archeologically reviving Baba Nanak’s home and other artifacts associated with him that were lost in the history.

Our children would be inspired to visit year after year – a green village, set-up as a zero-waste space with best archeologists, conservationists, botanists, and landscape experts planning it while reviving the lost heritage associated with Baba Nanak.

Sir, our young generations would love to visit this sacred land to learn from the locals, taking the knowledge back to the whole world forming a bond of love and friendship. There would be a better and more sustainable commerce around a model that truly invests in livelihoods of the locals while respecting their culture, sensitivities and connecting the global populace with it.

I also wish to respectfully convey a growing feeling amongst Sikh lovers of Pakistan world-over, that despite being the key stakeholders in the preservation and upkeep of Sikh holy sites in Pakistan, they have virtually no say, no voice, no representation in various bodies, committees entrusted with taking far-reaching decisions. It is sad, especially because we, the Sikhs and the Sikh Diaspora are sincere well wishers of the country and the people of Pakistan.

The Sikhs request that:

1. the Kartarpur Sahib corridor and Kartarpur village be made an ecological haven, a lush preserve, home to flora and fauna that Baba Ji experienced and spoke about in Gurbani extensively. Environment protection of Kartarpur village should be ensured with comprehensive regulation and its strict enforcement. It will set a model for the Clean and Green Pakistan.
2. any new construction be planned at least a kilometer away from the current complex i.e. outside the 100 acres of preserved fields
3. the corridor roads stop at the outskirts of the preserved fields and only foot-trails connect the parking terminals with the main complex
4. there should be foot-trails throughout the corridor which should itself be with zero-emission transport mechanism for the disabled and the elderly — so the journey to Kartarpur is as sacred to the devotees as the destination itself.
5. new facilities be designed in coherence with the Guru period architecture
6. a commercial center be established that encourages local produce, art, music, literature, and trade
7. and last but not the least the true representatives of Sikh Diaspora and Sikh organizations such as the American Sikh Council be consulted or involved in key decision making and in planning, coordination and oversight of work and projects related to preservation and upkeep of Sikh holy sites in Pakistan, including but not limited to the above submissions.

With sincere regards,
Yours truly,
Gurmeet Kaur
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