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Lahore, April 10 — A large delegation of Sikh pilgrims from India arrived in Pakistan via the Wagah Border to participate in the Vaisakhi Festival and commemorate the 326th birth anniversary of Khalsa. The visit is being facilitated by the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) under the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Government of Pakistan.
The pilgrims were warmly received by State Minister for Interfaith Harmony Kheeal Das Kohastani, Punjab’s Minister for Minority Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, ETPB Secretary Farid Iqbal, and other dignitaries including MPA Baba Felbous Christopher, members of the Pakistan Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PGPC), and ETPB shrine officials.
Welcoming the pilgrims on behalf of Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, Minister Kheeal Das Kohastani conveyed his heartfelt greetings and emphasized that Pakistan remains committed to protecting religious freedoms. “Sikhs from across the globe visit Pakistan with a sense of security and reverence,” he said.
Provincial Minister Ramesh Singh Arora noted that a record number of Sikh pilgrims have arrived this year, crediting the rise in religious tourism to the Chief Minister’s active efforts. “We are seeing the fruits of these initiatives in the growing number of visitors to our religious sites,” he added.
ETPB Secretary Farid Iqbal outlined the extensive arrangements made for the pilgrims, including accommodations, medical services, transportation, and the renovation of gurdwaras and temples. “Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib, Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, and other sacred sites have been beautifully decorated to offer a spiritually enriching experience,” he shared.
According to the official itinerary, pilgrims are divided into two groups. One group will first visit Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hassan Abdal, while the other will travel to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur. Both groups will reunite at Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Nankana Sahib, on April 12. On April 13, they will visit Gurdwara Sacha Sauda in Farooqabad and spend the night in Nankana Sahib. The main Vaisakhi celebration will be held on April 14 at Gurdwara Janam Asthan. Subsequent visits include Kartarpur and Panja Sahib on April 15, followed by Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore and Gurdwara Rohri Sahib in Eminabad on April 17.
Speaking to the media, Jatha leaders Ravinder Singh and Daljit Singh Sarna praised the Government of Pakistan for granting a large number of visas, saying, “Pakistan has truly won our hearts.” Pilgrims have traveled from Amritsar, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and 11 other Indian states. “Pakistan is a peace-loving nation that offers respect and hospitality to Sikhs from all over the world,” they added.
