SIKH PILGRIMS COMPLETE NANKANA SAHIB VISIT, PRAISE PAKISTAN'S EXEMPLARY ARRANGEMENTS FOR SHAHEEDI JOR MELA

ETPB Provides World-Class Facilities; Main Ceremony Set for June 16 at Gurdwara Dera Sahib, Lahore

NANKANA SAHIB / LAHORE – June 12, 2026 

Report Ali Imran Chattha 

Hundreds of Indian Sikh pilgrims have concluded their devotional visit to Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev Ji as part of the Shaheedi Jor Mela marking the martyrdom anniversary of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Sikh Guru. The yatra, facilitated by the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) under the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, also encompassed visits to Gurdwara Pati Sahib, Balila Sahib, Kyara Sahib, and Tambu Sahib.

The ETPB made comprehensive arrangements to ensure the comfort and safety of the pilgrims amid the intense summer heat, including dedicated accommodation, langar (community kitchen) services, on-site medical facilities, and a round-the-clock supply of chilled mineral water. Foolproof security arrangements were put in place at all religious sites, with law enforcement agencies deployed on high alert throughout the pilgrimage route.

Officials of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee expressed their satisfaction with the upkeep, cleanliness, and aesthetic presentation of the gurdwaras under ETPB's stewardship. Pilgrims specifically commended the quality of langar services, accommodation facilities, and transport arrangements organised for the jatha.

"The Evacuee Trust Property Board is providing world-class facilities to the pilgrims visiting Pakistan," said Naser Mushtaq, Additional Secretary of Shrines, ETPB. He described the visit as a shining example of interfaith harmony and goodwill. Chairman ETPB Qamar uz Zaman issued special directives to all concerned departments to ensure maximum convenience for the yatris at every stage of the journey.

Medical camps were operational throughout the pilgrimage, with Rescue 1122 teams and ETPB medical staff accompanying the jatha at all times. Ambulance services and immediate first-aid facilities remained on standby. Senior ETPB officials, including Deputy Secretary of Shrines Faraz Abbas, maintained continuous oversight of all arrangements and remained on duty alongside security personnel.

Onward Itinerary

The Sikh jatha is scheduled to depart for Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal this evening, where they will spend one day performing religious rituals at the shrine, which has been adorned with colourful lights and floral decorations for the occasion. They will subsequently proceed to Gurdwara Sacha Sauda in Farooqabad.

On June 14, the pilgrims will travel to the sacred Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur for a full day of spiritual observance. On June 15, they will visit Gurdwara Rori Sahib in Eminabad before arriving in Lahore. The climax of the pilgrimage the main martyrdom anniversary ceremony of Guru Arjan Dev Ji will be held on June 16 at the historic Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore, the site where the fifth Sikh Guru attained shaheedi (martyrdom) in 1606.
Indian Sikh pilgrims formally expressed their gratitude to Chairman ETPB, the Government of Pakistan, and the administration for their warm hospitality, robust security measures, and the exemplary arrangements made throughout the pilgrimage.