Pakistan on Thursday asked the UK government to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond to Lahore museum. The demand, raised in a tweet by Pakistan's Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, was clubbed with the endorsement of demand seeking a formal apology from the UK government for the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the famine of Bengal ahead of the 100th anniversary of the mass killing.

While endorsing the demand for apology from the British government over the Jallianwala Bagh massacre on twitter, Chaudhry said: "Fully endorse the demand that British Empire must apologise to the nations of Pakistan, India and Bangladesh on Jallianwala Massacre and Bengal famine...these tragedies are the scar on the face of Britain, also Koh-e-Noor, must be returned to Lahore museum where it belongs." 

Does Koh-i-Noor belong to Pakistan or India

Koh-e-Noor, which means Mountain of Light, is a large, colourless diamond that was found in Southern India in early 14th century. The 108-carat Kohinoor gem, which fell into British hands during the colonial era, is the subject of a historic ownership dispute and claimed by at least four countries including India.

The giant diamond was acquired by Britain in 1849 when the East India Company annexed the region of Punjab. Since then, India has laid claims to the diamond, urging the British government to return the gem which currently stays on display in the Tower of London.

The jewel, once the largest known diamond in the world, is set in a crown last worn by the late Queen Mother during her coronation and was displayed on top of her crown when her coffin lay in state after her death in 2002.

A petition seeking return of the jewel from the British government has also been pending in the Lahore High Court for the last four year.