Sikh yatrees arrive from India for Baisakhi Mela

LAHORE:A large group of Sikh yatrees from India arrived in Pakistan via the Wagah Border to participate in the celebrations of Baisakhi Festival and the 326th Khalsa Birth Anniversary. Yatrees from Amritsar, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and 11 other Indian states have arrived in Pakistan.

State Minister for Interfaith Harmony Kheeal Das Kohistani, Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs & Pardhan PSGPC, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, Secretary Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Farid Iqbal warmly receive the Sikh yatrees.

MPA Baba Felbous Christopher, members of the Pakistan Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, and the Secretary and Additional Secretary Shrines ETPB Saifullah Khokhar were also present on this occasion.

While addressing the media, State Minister for Interfaith Harmony Kheeal Das Kohistani 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 days.

Ramesh Singh Arora stated that a record number of Sikh yatrees 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 yatrees.

He said ETPB is spending huge amount to facilitate Sikh yatrees, renovation of gurudwaras and mandars. 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 yatrees.

According to a pre-defined schedule, the yatrees 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 Sucha Sauda in Farooqabad and stay overnight in Nankana Sahib.

The central ceremony of the Baisakhi 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.

Ramesh Singh Arora expressed his hope that the Sikh yatrees 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 Pakistan govt has won the hearts of the Sikh community by issuing such a large number of visas. “Pakistan is a peace-loving country, and Sikhs from all over the world wish to visit it because of the immense respect and honour they receive here,” they added.