About 3,000 Indian Sikh pilgrims are expected to visit Pakistan to participate in the Baisakhi festival starting on April 10, an official said on Monday.
The main ceremony will be held on April 14 at Gurdwara Banga Sahib in Hassan Abdul in the country’s Punjab province.
“As many as 3,000 Sikh yatrees arrive here from India in connection with Baisakhi celebrations,” Ghulam Mohiuddin, spokesman for Evacuee Trust Property Board, told PTI.
Baisakhi is celebrated on the first day of the month of Vaisakh and also marks the beginning of the harvest season.
Every year, Gurdwara Panja Sahib bursts with color as pilgrims crowd the halls and courtyards in their traditional yellow turbans.
The spokesperson said that a high-level administrative meeting was held at the Home Ministry of Punjab in Lahore under the auspices of ETPB, Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, to review arrangements for the upcoming Baisakhi Mela and Khalsa Janamdin celebrations.
The meeting was attended by Regional Minister Khawaja Salman Rafiq and Regional Minister and Bardhan of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandak, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora. Additional Secretary, Shrines, ETPB, Nasir Mushtaq, gave a detailed briefing on the arrangements for the pilgrims.
“During the press conference, it was informed that Sikh pilgrims from India and all over the world will participate in the Baisakhi celebrations. As per the bilateral agreement, 3,000 pilgrims from India will arrive in Pakistan on April 10,” the spokesperson said.
The pilgrims will visit various religious sites including Nankana Sahib, Farrukhabad, Sheikhupura, Kartarpur, Eminabad and Lahore.
“Guaranteed security, quality medical facilities and excellent transportation arrangements will be ensured for the pilgrims,” he said.
Addressing the meeting, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora emphasized that all departments should work together through effective teamwork to project a positive image of Pakistan to the world.
Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique said that the Punjab government will extend full hospitality to international guests as per their traditions and make special arrangements to ensure safety and comfortable stay of pilgrims.
He directed that all means of transport must carry valid fitness certificates and additional toilets, heavy-duty generators and more immigration counters must be arranged.
Additional Secretary, Shrines Nasir Mushtaq said that Sikh pilgrims will be accorded greater respect, love and hospitality than ever before and every effort will be made to ensure that they feel at home.
