3000 Indians in Pakistan for Guru Nanak Jayanti

More than 3,000 Sikh pilgrims from India have reached the Pakistani city of Nankana Sahib to take part in the festivals to celebrate the birth anniversary of Sikh spiritual Guru, Guru Nanak. The pilgrims have been reaching Gurudwara Janamesthan in Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak, where the main function is going to be held on Friday on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti.

Pakistani officials and members of the minority groups are welcoming the number of pilgrims arriving in the country through trains and flights. Among those who form the reception committee are Minority leader Anwar Lal, Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Chairman, Tahir Ehsan and Secretary, Tariq Wazir and also Pakistan Sikh Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee, President Tara Singh were among the Pakistani officials who greeted the Sikh devotees at the Wagah Railway station in the Indo Pakistan Border.

ETPB spokesman Amir Hashmi, has informed that “As many as 3,080 Sikh pilgrims arrived here on two special trains. The third train is expected to arrive here to bring another 700 or so yatris”. He also confirmed that the Pakistan government had issued 3,800 visas to Indian Sikhs, some of the pilgrims are also coming by flight.

Sikh group leader Amerjeet Singh wished all the citizen of Pakistan on the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad on Eid Milad-un Nabi, which was celebrated across the country on Wednesday. Singh also said that the Sikh pilgrims get love and support from Pakistanis time to time and urged the Pakistan government to issue at least 10,000 visas to Sikhs pilgrims for next year’s celebration, as it is going to be the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak.

Amerjeet also thanked the Pakistan government for their effort to open the Gurudwara Kartarpur in Narowal for all pilgrims. He is also hopeful that there would be no hurdles in its opening for Indian Sikhs.

This year for the celebration of the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the ETPB chairman Tahir Ehsan has said that the Pakistan government has made foolproof security arrangements for the pilgrims. Rangers and special security personnel have already been deployed along with the police for the security of the visiting pilgrims.

He also said the Evacuee Trust Property Board has arranged for the better boarding facilities at the Gurudwaras where the pilgrims would stay during their visit. The pilgrims will also visit some other Gurudwaras in Punjab province during their 10 days stay in Pakistan. They will leave for India on November 30.

Guru Nanak born on 29th November 1469 was the founder of Sikhism and is the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. His birthday is celebrated across the world as Guru Nanak Gurpurab on the full moon day in the month of Katak, between the month of October and November.