Nearly 3,000 Indian Sikhs crossed into Pakistan's Punjab province on Saturday from the Wagah Border to participate in the celebrations to mark the 554th birth anniversary of Sikhism's founder Guru Nanak Dev. At the Lahore border, Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Additional Secretary (shrines) Rana Shahid Saleem, Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (PSGPC) chief Sardar Amir Singh and other officials welcomed the pilgrims.

 

Salim told reporters here that three thousand Indian Sikh pilgrims have arrived here to participate in a festival on the birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev. We have provided robust security arrangements, accommodation and travel facilities for the Sikh devotees.

He said, it has been agreed that about three thousand Indian Sikhs will be given space for Guru Nanak Jayanti. However, ETPB is ready to provide space for more Sikh devotees. Salim said, if India allows, he is ready to welcome more than 3,000 Sikhs from India on this occasion.

Amir Singh of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (PSGPC) demanded restoration of train and bus services between the two countries for the convenience of the people. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) Amritsar leader Khushminder Singh expressed satisfaction over the arrangements made by the ETPB for the visiting pilgrims. He said Indian Sikhs are satisfied with the opening of the Kartarpur corridor and the security of their holy sites in Pakistan. He praised them for their love for the people here.

The pilgrims were taken in special buses to Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak, where the three-day festival will begin from Sunday. During his 10-day stay here, the devotees will also visit Gurdwara Panja Sahib Hassanabdal, Gurdwara Sacha Sauda, Gurdwara Dera Sahib Lahore, Gurdwara Rohri Sahib Amanabad and Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur Narowal.