Deputy Mayor Ameen Butt Apologizes for Remarks Against Sikhs in Faisalabad
Faisalabad, Pakistan – Ameen Butt, the Deputy Mayor of Faisalabad, has apologized for his previous opposition to reopening a Gurdwara that had been closed for 76 years. In a video shared by the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC), Butt admitted his comments were a serious mistake and apologized to the Sikh community, promising not to repeat such remarks.
The PSGPC welcomed Butt’s apology, highlighting Pakistan’s importance to Sikhs as a Holy Land. They stated, “Ameen Butt has offered an apology for his offensive remarks against the Sikh community in a welcoming development. Pakistan holds a sacred place in the hearts of Sikhs, who consider it a ‘Pavitar Dharti’ (Holy Land).”
Historically, the Sikh minority in Pakistan has faced discrimination and violence, leading many to migrate. Minority communities, including Hindus and Sikhs, continue to encounter discriminatory laws, social marginalization, and sporadic acts of violence driven by religious extremism.
In a widely circulated video, Butt was seen threatening to disrupt the Gurdwara’s reconstruction and using derogatory language against the Sikh community. He stated, “Sikhs are rapists and killers of Muslims. We will not allow any Sikh Gurdwara in Faisalabad. If Sikhs try to build it, they will face Allah’s fighters. You can open all Gurdwaras for Namaz. But you remain a Kafir with no rights in Sharia.”
Sikhs in Pakistan have faced various challenges, including physical assaults, threats, and vandalism of Gurdwaras. Issues like illegal occupation of Gurdwara properties and property disputes are also reported.
The US Department of State’s 2023 Country Report on Human Rights Practices raised concerns about religious tolerance in Pakistan, noting several targeted attacks on Sikhs, including the killings of Dayal Singh in Peshawar, Malik Sardar Singh in Lahore, and Manmohan Singh in Peshawar.
Recently, during a session of Pakistan’s National Assembly, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif acknowledged the targeted violence against minorities in the name of religion. He expressed frustration over the opposition blocking efforts to improve minority safety, stating, “Every day, minorities are being killed. They are not safe under the guise of Islam, and Pakistan faces global embarrassment due to these incidents.”
