Pakistan to Welcome Thousands of Pilgrims for Guru Nanak’s 556th Gurpurb

Evacuee Trust Property Board, Ministry of Religious Affairs Govt. of Pakistan
 Lahore (Ali Imran Chattha)

A high-level meeting was held at the head office of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) regarding the arrangements for the 556th birth anniversary celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The meeting was chaired by Additional Secretary Shrines, Nasir Mushtaq, while ETPB Chairman, Dr. Sajid Mahmood Chauhan, specially joined through video link.
Representatives from Police, Rangers, Customs, Immigration, Rescue 1122, LESCO, Sui Gas, the Health Department, District Police Officers, and district and provincial administrative bodies participated in the meeting. The session reviewed in detail the arrangements concerning the arrival, accommodation, meals, rituals, travel facilities, and foolproof security for Sikh pilgrims.
Speaking at the meeting, Chairman Dr. Sajid Mahmood Chauhan said that freedom of worship and pilgrimage is an integral part of human and religious rights. He expressed hope that a maximum number of Indian Sikh pilgrims would participate in the birth anniversary celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji. He assured that, as always, Pakistan would warmly host Sikh pilgrims arriving from India and across the world. He added that all relevant departments, along with the Evacuee Trust Property Board and the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, are working side by side to ensure the provision of the best possible facilities.
Additional Secretary Shrines, Nasir Mushtaq, stated that medical facilities, accommodation, and travel arrangements for the pilgrims are being further improved, and for this purpose, air-conditioned buses will be provided. Continuous supply of electricity, Sui gas, and immigration facilities will also be ensured. Medical facilities will be available at all residential places, while two special Rescue 1122 ambulances will accompany every convoy of 20 buses carrying pilgrims. Anti-dengue spray will be carried out at all sites. On the occasion of the birth anniversary, Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Gurdwara Dera Sahib, and other places of worship will be decorated with beautiful illuminations. He added that Pakistan has always hosted Sikh pilgrims with open hearts, and this time too, pilgrims will return with love and pleasant memories of Pakistan.
The meeting was informed that under the bilateral agreement, around 3,000 Sikh pilgrims visit Pakistan every year for the birth anniversary celebrations. As per the scheduled program, the pilgrims will arrive in Pakistan on November 4 via the Wagah Border, where they will be given a warm and comfortable welcome. After completion of immigration, they will be directly escorted under strict security to Nankana Sahib, Gurdwara Janam Asthan. The central ceremony of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s 556th birth anniversary will be held on November 5 at Gurdwara Janam Asthan,Nankana Sahib.