International Desk: The Republic of Balochistan has condemned the reported demolition of a centuries-old Gurdwara in Quetta and the construction of a commercial shopping plaza at the site, calling it an alleged attempt to erase the religious and cultural heritage of minority communities.
In a statement dated August 30, the Republic of Balochistan said the demolition of the historic Sikh religious site was “disgraceful” and accused Pakistani authorities of destroying religious, cultural and educational heritage in the region.
The statement claimed that the Gurdwara formed part of Balochistan’s heritage and expressed solidarity with the Sikh community. It said the Republic of Balochistan was prepared to approach international legal forums, including the International Court of Justice, if necessary.
It also urged the Government of India to raise the alleged destruction of religious, cultural and educational institutions in Balochistan at the United Nations and in Parliament, while calling on the international community and human rights organisations to take notice.
The statement further referred to the reported demolition of the Saeed Hashmi Baloch Library in Karachi, alleging that authorities had earlier sought to remove it in connection with expressway construction. It also claimed that Saint Gabriel’s Primary School on Archer Road in Quetta, which it said had operated from the site since 1953, was quietly demolished in the last week of June 2026.
The Republic of Balochistan alleged that such actions represented more than commercial development and amounted to an attempt to erase the history, heritage and identity of Baloch, Sikh, Hindu and other communities.
“Religious and cultural heritage cannot be replaced by a shopping plaza,” the statement said, stressing that the destruction of historic places of worship results in an irreversible loss of community heritage.
The statement was issued by Representative Mir Yar Baloch. The allegations and claims in the statement were presented by the Republic of Balochistan and were not independently substantiated in the press note.
