49-Member Sikh Jatha Leaves Lahore for Delhi for Religious Pilgrimage

LAHORE (Nazrana Times) Ali Imran Chattha 

A 49-member Sikh jatha from Pakistan left Lahore on Thursday for New Delhi to undertake a religious pilgrimage to historic Sikh shrines in India.
The group, comprising 49 Sikh yatrees, was permitted to travel after earlier uncertainty surrounding their journey. The pilgrims have proceeded with confirmed two-way air tickets, enabling them to complete their pilgrimage and return to Pakistan according to their scheduled travel arrangements.
At the airport, the pilgrims were seen off by Sardar Mahinder Pal Singh, former PTI Parliamentary Secretary for Minorities Affairs and Human Rights and former spokesperson for the Kartarpur Corridor.
The pilgrims thanked Sardar Mahinder Pal Singh for supporting them during the earlier dispute and for raising his voice in support of their right to undertake the religious journey. They also expressed appreciation to the Government of Pakistan for granting permission for their visit to India.
The group is travelling to New Delhi via Tashkent and is scheduled to visit several historic Sikh gurdwaras in the Indian capital, including Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib, Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib and Gurdwara Nanak Piao Sahib.

The pilgrims are also expected to visit other major Sikh shrines, including Anandpur Sahib and Amritsar, during their religious journey.
The latest development follows an earlier episode in which a larger Sikh jatha faced difficulties at Faisalabad International Airport over travel documentation and related requirements. The matter subsequently prompted calls for the pilgrims to be facilitated and allowed to proceed with their religious pilgrimage.
The current 49-member group has now obtained the necessary permission and arranged confirmed return travel, allowing the pilgrims to continue their religious journey.
A visit to Sri Hemkund Sahib is unlikely as the shrine is scheduled to close for the winter season on October 10, while deteriorating weather conditions may also affect travel plans.
The departure of the jatha comes amid continued religious travel by minority communities between Pakistan and India, following the recent journey of a Hindu jatha from Karachi to India for a religious pilgrimage.