Sikh pilgrims leave via Wagah border

LAHORE:At least 2,400 Indian Sikh pilgrims on Monday left for their country through Wagah border. Pradhan Pakistan Sikh Guru Dwara, Bandhak Committee and Minister Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, PSGPC members, and Additional Secretary Shrines of Evacuee Trust Property Board Rana Shahid Saleem and other officers bade farewell to them with gifts and good wishes.

Speaking to the media, Indian party leader Sardar Kulant Singh said, “We are grateful to the government of Pakistan and the Trust Board administration. Pakistan is a minority-friendly country, we had various facilities here. It is impossible to describe the respect given to us in Pakistan.”

Sardar Daljit Singh, the Jatha leader of Delhi Gur and Dwara Management Committee, said, “The programme organised in our honour is admirable. The love of Lahorites is exemplary.” Pradhan PSGPC Sardar Ramesh Singh said that the minorities in Pakistan have full protection and religious freedom and all facilities including education and employments are equally available.

Additional Secretary of the Trust Board Rana Shahid Saleem said: “We are always ready to welcome guests from the neighbouring country. Spokesperson Evacuee Trust Property Board Aamir Hussain Hashmi said the media gave ample and positive coverage of Baisakhi for which the Indian guests are also grateful to the media.

Indian Sikh pilgrim Jangir Singh, son of Jarnail Singh, suffered a heart attack during his stay in Gurudwara Dera Sahib Lahore and was immediately transferred to Mayo Hospital by the rescue team where the doctors confirmed his death. The dead body was handed over to the Indian security forces.