Warm Welcome Extended to Indian Sikh Pilgrims at Wagah Border

 4 November 2025 Lahore ( Ali Imran Chattha)

On the occasion of the 556th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji, approximately 2100 Sikh pilgrims from India have arrived in Pakistan. A grand welcome was accorded to them at Wagah Border, where the President of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, Chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board Dr. Sajid Mahmood Chauhan, and Additional Secretary Shrines Nasir Mushtaq warmly greeted the guests and presented them with flower bouquets.
Speaking to the media at Wagah Border, Jathedar of Akal Takht, Kaldeep Singh Gargaj, expressed that they have always been treated with great respect in Pakistan. He added that the gurdwaras in Pakistan are well-preserved in their original condition, for which he expressed gratitude to the Government of Pakistan, the Evacuee Trust Property Board, and the Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. Jatha leader Ravinder Singh from the Delhi Gurdwara Management Committee and members of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee also thanked the Government of Pakistan for issuing visas and said that Pakistan is the land of their Gurus and is deeply cherished by the Sikh community.
Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs and President of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, stated that the enthusiastic reception of the Sikh pilgrims reflects Pakistan’s positive image as a country that respects its minorities. The Sikh pilgrims feel joyous upon arriving in Pakistan and return with beautiful memories.
 

Additional Secretary Shrines Nasir Mushtaq, while speaking to the media, said that under the administration of the Evacuee Trust Property Board and the Ministry of Religious Affairs, foolproof security arrangements have been made for the Indian guests. Teams from the Board, district representatives, and the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee are dedicated to serving the pilgrims. High-quality transport and other facilities are being provided, along with medical desks, while Rescue 1122 teams and medical staff will accompany the bus convoys.
At Wagah Border, the Sikh pilgrims exchanged currency, received bus seat tickets, and were issued computerized identity cards by teams of the Evacuee Trust Property Board. They were served excellent langar, allotted rooms and welcomed into specially decorated marquees furnished with new, comfortable sofas. The President and members of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee expressed satisfaction with the arrangements and praised Additional Secretary Shrines Nasir Mushtaq and the Evacuee Trust Property Board for their efforts.
The central ceremony of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birth anniversary will be held on 5 November at Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib. Federal and provincial ministers will participate as chief guests, along with religious and minority leaders. Sikh pilgrims from India and across the world will perform their religious rituals. Later, a special "Palki Sahib" procession will also take place according to Sikh customs, which will pass through its designated routes and conclude peacefully. Extraordinary security arrangements have been ensured for the occasion.