Pakistan jumps into Kohinoor controversy, says diamond was gifted to England

Islamabad: Pakistan's Punjab government on Wednesday jumped into famour Kohinoor controversy and said that the renowned giant diamond was handed over to Britain following an agreement reached with the East India Company in 1849. 

A Punjab government official issued the statement in the Lahore High Court during the hearing of a petition for bringing the Kohinoor diamond back to Pakistan, according to Dawn online report. 

The official said the diamond could not be brought to Pakistan as it was given to Britain under the 'Treaty of Lahore'.

The petitioner said a treaty had to be reached between two governments and the East India Company was not authorised to sign such an agreement.

The judge directed the Punjab government's counsel to submit a copy of the agreement with the East India Company and the then rulers of undivided Punjab.

The petitioner said the British rulers had snatched Kohinoor from Duleep Singh in 1850.

The 108-carat diamond was presented to the then British monarch, Queen Victoria, in 1850 after the Anglo-Sikh wars, in which the Britain gained control over the Sikh empire in the then undivided Punjab.

The Kohinoor diamond, kept under tight security at the Tower of London, is claimed by India, Afghanistan, Pakistan and also Iran.

(With IANS inputs)