State Minister interfaith harmony Kheeal Das Kohastani, Secretary Evacuee Trust Property Board Farid Iqbal, Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs Ramesh Singh Arora Welcomes Pilgrims Along with Other Officials
“By issuing such a large number of visas, the Government of Pakistan has won our hearts.” – Jatha Leader Ravinder Singh
Lahore, April 10: A large group of Sikh pilgrims from India arrived in Pakistan via the Wagah Border to participate in the celebrations of Vaisakhi Festival and the 326th Khalsa Birth Anniversary. The pilgrims received a warm welcome from the State Minister interfaith Kheeal Das Kohastani, Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs & Pardhan PSGPC, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, Secretary Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB)Farid Iqbal. He was accompanied by MPA Baba Felbous Christopher, members of the Pakistan Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, and the Secretary and Additional Secretary Shrines ETPB Saifullah Khokhar.
While addressing the media, State Minister for Interfaith harmony Khel Das Kohistani welcomed the Sikh pilgrims on behalf of Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf and conveyed his greetings on the occasion of Vaisakhi. He said that With the protection and trust of religious minorities, Sikhs from all over the world are coming to Pakistan without fear to attend their religious places of worship.
Minister Ramesh Singh Arora stated that a record number of Sikh pilgrims are visiting Pakistan this year. He added that due to the Chief Minister's initiatives, religious tourism in the province has increased.
Secretary Evacuee Trust Property Board Farid Iqbal Said that ETPB has ensured comprehensive arrangements for accommodation, medical facilities, transport, and other necessary services for the Sikh pilgrims. ETPB spend huge amount to facilitate sikh piligrims, Renovation Gurudwaras, Manders.He said that Gurdwara Janam Asthan (Nankana Sahib), Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, and other holy sites have been beautifully decorated to enrich the spiritual experience of the pilgrims. According to a pre-defined schedule, the pilgrims have been divided into two groups. The first group will visit Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hassan Abdal, while the second group will head to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur. Both groups will arrive at Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Nankana Sahib, on April 12. On April 13, they will visit Gurdwara Sacha Sauda in Farooqabad and stay overnight in Nankana Sahib. The central ceremony of the Vaisakhi Festival will be held on April 14 at Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Nankana Sahib. On April 15, one group will travel to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, while the other will proceed to Gurdwara Panja Sahib. On April 17, both groups will pay their respects at Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore and will later visit Gurdwara Rohri Sahib in Eminabad. Minister Ramesh Singh Arora expressed his hope that the Sikh pilgrims will return home with peaceful, safe, and spiritually fulfilling memories of Pakistan.
Speaking to media representatives, Jatha Leaders Ravinder Singh and Daljit Singh Sarna said that the Government of Pakistan has won the hearts of the Sikh community by issuing such a large number of visas. Pilgrims from Amritsar, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and 11 other Indian states have arrived in Pakistan. “Pakistan is a peace-loving country, and Sikhs from all over the world wish to visit it because of the immense respect and honor they receive here,” they added.
Report
by : Ali Imran Chattha, Special Reporter, Lahore (International Desk)