Over 2,200 Sikh pilgrims from India arrive in Pak

Lahore:w Over 2,200 Sikh pilgrims from India on Friday arrived in Pakistan’s Punjab province through the Attari-Wagah border to participate in the Baisakhi festival and the 327th Khalsa Janam Din celebrations.

Pakistan Punjab’s Minority Minister Ramesh Singh Arora and Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Additional Secretary (Shrines) Nasir Mushtaq received the pilgrims at the Wagah border.

Pakistan had issued 2,800 visas to Indian Sikh pilgrims for Baisakhi festival scheduled to be held on April 14.

“As many as 2,238 Sikh pilgrims crossed into Pakistan from India today to take part in Baisakhi festivities,” Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) spokesperson Ghulam Mohyuddin told PTI.

The main ceremony will be held on April 14 at Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal, some 400 kms from Lahore.

Besides participating in the annual Baisakhi Mela in Pakistan, the Sikhs from India will also visit Gurdwara Janama Asthan, Nankana Sahib and Kartarpur Sahib.

Arora said despite strained relations between Pakistan and India, more than 2,800 Sikh pilgrims were issued visas.

ETPB’s Nasir Mushtaq said comprehensive arrangements have been made for the pilgrims, including accommodation, langar (food), transportation and medical facilities.

He said foolproof security arrangements have also been made and buses have been provided for travel.

Jatha leader from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) Surjit Singh appreciated the respect and hospitality extended to Sikh pilgrims in Pakistan.

The pilgrims were transported in three groups to Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Nankana Sahib, some 80 kms from Lahore. After a two-day stay in Nankana Sahib, they will proceed to Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Hasan Abdal, where the main Baisakhi ceremony is scheduled to be held.

Baisakhi or Vaisakhi is celebrated on the first day of the month of Vaisakh and also marks the beginning of the harvest season.