LAHORE – Pakistan on Monday formally started the process to establish a Guru Nanak university in Punjab province’s Nankana Sahib.
The foundation stone of Baba Guru Nanak International University (BGNIU), spread over 10 acres, was laid by Prime Minister Imran Khan. Pakistan Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar laid its foundation stone in July, over 15 years after its construction proposal first surfaced.
Speaking on the occasion, Interior Minister Ijaz Shah said that Rs 6 billion would be spent on the project that was expected to be completed in three phases.
He said Punjabi and Khalsa languages would also be taught at the university.
Earlier, the Punjab provincial government had allocated 70 acres of land for setting up the university at the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev.
There had been a demand from Pakistan’s minority Sikh community to construct a university named after the founder of their religion at his birthplace in Nankana Sahib.
A proposal to set up the university was first surfaced during the Punjab government of Pervaiz Elahi in 2003. Two years ago, the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) gave the final approval to the project.
