Prime Minister of Pakistan Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani had issued instructions on November 2008 for the acquisition of the land for the University in Nankana Sahib. The PM will lay the foundation stone of the university during the next Baisakhi celebration.
By establishing the University with its name based on the name of Sikh’s first spiritual master Guru Nanak Dev, the Pakistan Government will appreciate the Sikhs living in Pakistan.
The Pakistan Evacuee Trust Property Board of Pakistan (PETPB) now controls the land of Nankana Sahib, which was once given to Guru Nanak by Rai Bular Bhatti, a contemporary of the Guru Nanak, who had become his disciple. The land measures 757 murabas (approx 18,750 acres).
The 17,000 acres of land situated in Nankana Sahib was mainly leased to farmers and to the Nankana Sahib residents. PETPB has reclaimed 2500 acres of land for the University and the Pakistan Government had issued land acquisition notices to lease holders for the rest.
The proposed university was to have the best architecture, curriculum and center to carry research on Sikh and other religion and culture.
American Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (AGPC) Convener Dr. Pritpal Singh already announced that AGPC would bear all the expenses on establishing the course related to Gurmat Sangeet facility.
While talking to Asian News International (ANI) from Lahore Azhar Ehsan, an Advocate and the Executive Director of BGNIU’s governing body said that the negotiation were on and hopefully PETPB would get the land required for the University.