Information on this page has been provided by Bhupinder Singh Holland.

The Sikhs, though small in number, have acquired almost an international status and the formation of the Siri Nankana Sahib Foundation, on November 11, 1975 at Nankana Sahib, comprising of the Sikh nationals of Malaysia, Indonesia, England, United States of America (USA), Canada, Iran, Japan and other East Asiatic and European countries with the object of securing through negotiations religious rights of theirs to visit, manage and run the Sikh temples in Pakistan. Most Sikhs today feel that the bitterness in Sikh Muslim relations, created by Brahmanism at the time of partition in 1947 has been demisted for ever at the auspicious occasion of Great Guru Nanak's 531st birth anniversary. For Sikhs today it is a matter of extreme delight and they express sincere gratitude to the people and Government of Pakistan for unrestricted care of and visits to the Gurdwaras, especially permission of visits to Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara without any need for a visa and the welcome accorded to the Sikh Community as a whole. Siri Nankana Sahib Foundation has celebrated its 25th anniversary on November 11, 2000 in Pakistan.

Siri Nankana Sahib Foundation is a non - profit, non - sectarian and non - political organization. The Foundation is registered with Social Welfare department vide their of registration certificate dated 27th June 1993. The office bearers of the Organization are Muslims and Sikhs. Sardar Joginder Singh is the current President and Sardar Ganga Singh Dhillon is the Founding Chairman.

Established at Nankana Sahib, the birth place of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Nankana Sahib Foundation Complex which is about a miles from the Nankana Sahib, on Vucho Ki Road that goes to Jarhanwali, further leading to Faisalabad (Lyallpur). The Nankana Sahib Estate consists of 16,962 acres. Most of this estate is leased to the farmers and residents of Nankana Sahib. Almost all the houses of Nankana Sahib are built on this property. Nankana Sahib Estate is the property of the Nankana Sahib Gurdwara (Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji) which cannot be sold to anyone. About 40,000 people live in Nankana Sahib. Foundation stone laid for Nankana Sahib Foundation Complex was laid down by Hon. Rai Bashir Ahmad Khan Bhatti, Member National Assembly Pakistan and Chairman, Education Standing Committee, Government of Pakistan, at Nankana Sahib on June 19, 1994.

President of Nakana Sahib Foundation Sardar Joginder Singh (2nd from left), and author extreme right.

Construction of the Foundation Complex was started in the month of July / August 1994. 80 % of boundary wall and 95 % of Foundation of the Ready Made Garments factory were completed, then the project had to stop because of political reasons only known to all mighty God.

The plans were to built a hospital, library, school / college to provide free education for poor and deserving students, an auditorium and a sports arena, ready - made Garment Factory to make the Foundation a self supporting entity. The plans were also to put up a hand made paper production unit to support the institutions of the Foundation. Many unemployed families of Nankana Saib ( Babe di Dharti ) would have attained employment and their source of livinghood. May the time shall come soon that this noble project is started soon.

Aims and Objectives of the Nankana Sahib Foundation

The aims and objective of Nankana Sahib Foundation are to:

1) Promote the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, his mission philosophy of fatherhood of One God and brotherhood of mankind and Sri Guru Granth Sahib (the Holy Book of the Sikhs).

2) Freedom to visit, worship and preserve sanctity of Sikh holy places in Pakistan according to Sikh Traditions.

3) Promote Sikh Muslim understanding according to the Teaching of Guru Nanak.

4) Propagate and promote goodwill, friendship peace and harmony irrespective of color, creed, race, and sex amongst different nations as enshrined in the Charter of U. N. O.

5) Establish hospitals, dispensaries and undertake such works or projects which are of public interest and are likely to contribute to the welfare (Economic and Social well-being) of the people.

6) Promote the teachings of Holy Quran for understanding and tolerance.

7) To organize seminars and exhibitions, commercial, cultural and religious festivals and sports matches with the help of local authorities or independently.

8) Run the Nankana Sahib Foundation organization as an independent institution and make it financially self-sustaining.

Founder President of Nankana Sahib Foundation Sardar Ganga Singh Dhillon is 2nd from right at Nankana Sahib.

Accomplishments

a) Unrestricted Visits and worship of all Sikh shrines for Sikhs from all over the world.

b) Repairs of the Sikh shrines and improvements in lodging facilities.

c) Formulation of Concept and announcement of the Pakistan Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee by the President of Pakistan in april 1999.

Future Goals

1) Full Implementation of the decisions of PGPC dated 06-02-1999 and the declaration of PGPC on 11 April 1999 at Dehra Sahib Lahore.

2) Identify and restore sanctity of Sikh Shrines in Bangladesh, Burma, China, Afganistan, Iran, Iraq and other countries.

3) International Conferences on Sikh Muslim Dialogue for mutual benefit.

4) Promote academic pursuits, research and publications on sanctity of Sikh shrines on World Peace.

Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony

The foundation stone of the Nankana Sahib Complex building was laid down by Honorable Rai Bashir Ahmad Khan Bhatti on June 19, 1994. Rai Bashir Bhatti is a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan (Pakistani Parliament) and Chairman of the Education Standing Committee of Government of Pakistan. He is the oldest direct descendent of Rai Bular Bhatti, who was a widely respected man, a great philanthropist, and a contemporary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. He was the first person, after Bibi Nanaki (sister of Guru Nanak Dev Ji), to recognize that Guru Nanak Dev Ji was a divine soul. Over the last five hundred years, the Rajput Bhatti family of Nankana Sahib has donated almost 11,000 acres of its land to the Sikh religious shrines in and around Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. The 10 acres of land upon which this foundation is being established has also been donated by Rai Sarwar Khan Bhatti also a direct descendent of Rai Bular Bhatti and nephew of Rai Bashir Bhatti.

This multi-story Foundation building is under construction. A garment factory will also be built here and is scheduled to be in operation this year (1995). This foundation is jointly funded and run by the Muslim and Sikh private individuals. It will have all the modern facilities, a library, a guest house, and hospital where free medicine will be provided to the poor. Teams of physicians from USA, UK, Canada and other countries will make periodic visits to Nankana Sahib, organize medical camps and provide free medical treatment and consultation to the needy.

The entrance of the Foundation building will be a replica of entrance of Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Guru Nanak Dev. This Foundation is situated about one mile outside the Nankana Sahib Estate (the town of Nankana Sahib which is the property of Gurdwara Nankana Sahib).

This Nankana Sahib Foundation Complex building will be another landmark of Nankana Sahib.

Nankana Sahib Foundation

Head Quarter
B, Vlll - S2 - 19 Bashir Bhatti Road
Nankana Sahib
Distt. Sheikhupura
Pakistan.
Ph: (049419) 2288

Executive Office
37 - Civic Centre
M - Block Model Town (Ext.)
Lahore, Pakistan.
Ph: (042) 5830981 Fax: (042) 5861125

Rai Sarwar Khan Bhatti

Rai Bashir Bhatti

Rai Bashir Bhatti, the eldest son of Rai Hussein Bhatti is the current head of the Rai Bular Bhatti clan. Rai Bashir Bhatti is a law graduate and has been an MLA in 1951, MNA in 1965 and again in 1993. He has served Pakistan in the Governments of President Ayub Khan, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto as a National Assembly Representative (MNA) representing the Sheikhupura District and the Chairman of the National Education Committee.

Rai Mohabbat Bhatti

The late Rai Mohabbat Bhatti is the second eldest son of Rai Hussein Bhatti. Rai Mohabbat was a seasoned horseback rider and his selection and love for horses are still revered in the entire region.

Rai Rashid Bhatti

Rai Rashid Bhatti is the youngest of the three sons of Rai Hussein Bhatti. Like his elder brother, Rai Rashid Bhatti has also served in the Governments of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and BeNazir Bhutto as a National Assembly Representative representing the Sheikhupura District.

Born on 15th January 1938 at Kot Hussain Khan, graduated from Government College Lahore in 1958. Rai Rashid Khan Bhatti took active part in the restoration of democracy in MRD movement as Secretary General Peoples Party, Punjab