Pakistan presents gifts to Sikh visitors on Guru Nanak anniversary

LAHORE: On the eve of 548th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak, Pakistan government has announced opening of several religious places of Sikh community and laying foundation stone of Baba Guru Nanak University.

More than 3000 Sikh yatrees (pilgrims) arrived at Wagha Railway Station here on Saturday through three special trains to celebrate birth anniversary of founder of Sikh religion Baba Guru Nanak Dev Jee.

Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Chairman, Siddiqul Farooq, Pakistan Sikh Gurudawara Parbandhak Committee President, Sardar Tara Singh and other senior ETPB officials received them warmly at the railway station.

Talking to media after welcoming the guests, ETPB chairman said it was first time in the history that about 3319 visas had been issued to the Indian Sikh pilgrims.

He said amid border tensions between two countries, the Pakistani government was serving the Sikh guests entirely on humanity basis.

He urged the Indian president and prime minister to resolve all the issues between Pakistan and India including Kashmir through dialogue.

He said that a propaganda is made in India about Pakistan that law and order situation is not good here but Sikh community know it well that Pakistan is a peaceful country.

Gifts for Sikh Community

ETPB Chairman said that Pakistan was presenting four gifts to the Sikh community on the Birth Anniversary of Sikh founder.

He informed that Gurudawara Sri Kiyara Singh at Nankana Sahib is being opened for the pilgrims, which was earlier closed for several years, while stone laying ceremony of monument of Bhai Mardana, a close companion of Guru Nanak Sahib, would be held on Sunday.

He also announced inauguration of Angetha Sahib at Darbar Sahib Kartarpur on November 19 and stone laying of Baba Guru Nanak University in January next.

Itinerary of Sikh pilgrims

The Pakistan government has made foolproof security arrangements besides immigration, customs, bank and medical facilities at the Wahga Railway Station to facilitate the pilgrims.

Soon after arrival, the yatrees left for Gurudawara Sahib Janam Asthan Nankana Sahib from where the yatrees will go to Sacha Soda Farooqabad.

Main ceremonies of birth anniversary of Bab Guru Nanak Dev Jee will be held on November 14. Sikh yatree will leave for Gurudawara Panja Sahib Hassan Abdal on November 15 and will return for Gurudawara Dera Sahibon on November 17.

During their stay at Lahore the yatrees will visit Gurudawara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur Narowal and Gurudawara Rohri Sahib Aimanabad.

These Sikh yatrees will return to their homeland on November 21 through Wahga.