Sikh Jatha Stopped at Faisalabad Airport: Mahinder Pal Singh Gives Govt Friday Deadline

LAHORE | Nazrana Times Ali Imran Chattha 

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former Punjab Parliamentary Secretary for Minority Affairs and Human Rights Sardar Mahinder Pal Singh has given the government until Friday to allow a Sikh jatha stopped at Faisalabad International Airport to proceed to India, warning that he would approach the courts and other forums if the matter is not resolved.
Singh said that if the pilgrims were not allowed to undertake their religious journey by Friday, he would initiate legal proceedings and disclose relevant details concerning what he described as an alleged “hidden hand” behind the incident.
He also said he would not accept mediation this time, including efforts by Sikh leaders Sardar Gopi Chawla or Sardar Daya Singh.
Singh alleged that the jatha was stopped because of a personal dispute between its leader, Sardar Papinder Singh, and an important government figure. He questioned the requirement for return air tickets, saying the group had planned to return through the Wagah border.
He said he was willing to accompany Papinder Singh to meet the relevant government figure and seek permission for the pilgrimage, adding that he did not consider himself above the Sikh community or its interests.
Singh further called on the government to bear the pilgrims’ expenses and take action against anyone found responsible for harming relations between Pakistan and Sikhs in the country and abroad.
Background
Around 92 Pakistani Sikh pilgrims were stopped at Faisalabad International Airport on September 11 while preparing to travel to Sharjah and then proceed to India for a pilgrimage to Sri Hemkunt Sahib. Reports put the broader number of visa applicants at 104.
The pilgrims held Indian visas but were stopped over travel documentation, including an NOC and return-ticket requirements.
Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs and Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) President Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora said the group did not have the required Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) NOC, was travelling on one-way tickets and had not arranged the journey through a registered tour operator. The pilgrims have disputed these claims.
Jatha leader Sardar Papinder Singh said the pilgrims had not previously been informed that an NOC was required. He also alleged that Ramesh Singh Arora and an ETPB official had urged the group at Nankana Sahib to travel by road through the Attari-Wagah route instead of flying. The allegation has been reported but remains disputed.
The pilgrims said they had already spent around Rs20 million on arrangements for the journey and appealed to the government to facilitate their pilgrimage.
Mahinder Pal Singh also demanded an apology from PSGPC, FIA and ETPB authorities and questioned why the required NOC had not been issued earlier if it was mandatory.
The dispute remains centred on the applicable NOC requirements, return-ticket rules and responsibility for arranging religious travel. These issues would need to be established through official records and any formal inquiry.