Sikh devotees from Malaysia arrive to visit birth place of Baba Gurunanak

Islamabad: A 22-member delegation of Sikh devotees from Malaysia arrived here on Monday to visit the birth place of Baba Gurunanak and different gurdwaras.

The government of Pakistan has made special arrangements for the stay, food, transportation and security of the devotees during their five-day stay. In the first phase of the visit, the delegation reached Hasanabdal from Lahore.

The officials of Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) warmly welcomed the Sikh devotees when they reached Lahore and Islamabad. The devotees stayed at Gurdwara Panja Sahib at night and on Tuesday visited Janam Asthan Nankana Sahib and Gurdwara Darshan Lahore and will stay there in the night.

On Wednesday, the Sikh devotees will visit all the gurdwaras of Lahore including Bal Laila Sahib, Pati Sahib, Tamboo Sahib, Maleji Sahib and Kiara Sahib and will stay there for the night.

On Thursday, the devotees will visit the Aimanabad Gurdwara, Gujranwala, Rohri Sahib, Sacha Soda Sahib Gurdwara, Farooqabad and Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib in Narowal. On Friday, the delegation will visit Gurdwara Dera Sahib and the Samadhi of Raja Ranjeet Sahib and

then through Wagah border will return from Amritsar to Malaysia.

The government of Pakistan has given complete religious freedom to the minorities living in Pakistan and according to the constitution of Pakistan all rights are being given to them. Special arrangements are also made to celebrate the religious festivals of non-Muslims.

Similarly, arrangements are made for the stay, food, travelling and security of the devotees who come from different countries to celebrate their religious festivals and visit their places of worship.

The devotees have expressed their satisfaction over the arrangements made by the government of Pakistan. The Evacuee Trust Property Board has made complete arrangements for the facility of thousands of Sikh devotees coming from different countries including India to participate in the celebrations of Besakhi Mela and Khalsa Janam Din.

The Secretary ETPB stated this while addressing a high-level meeting, which was attended by Deputy Secretary Imran Khan, Deputy Secretary (Admin) Zafar Iqbal Baloch, PRO Amir Hussain Hashmi, Incharge Security Fazle Rabi, Chief Engineer Colonel (r) Ghafoor Arshad and officials of Interior Ministry, police, army, Rangers, DCO, DPOs, WAPDA, Customs, Railways and other departments.

Devotees from India, United States, Britain, Australia, Switzerland and other countries will come to Pakistan. The services of Red Crescent and Young Doctors Association will be hired for providing the medical facilities. Generators will be available in case of loadshedding.

Close circuit television cameras and walkthrough gates will be installed to ensure strict security. Devotees from India and other parts of the world will reach Lahore through Wagah Railway Station on April 12.

The main event of Khalsa Janam Din and Besakhi will be held at Gurdwara Panja Sahib Hassanabdal on April 14. Different political and religious personalities will participate in the event.