High-Level Meeting Finalizes Vaisakhi & Khalsa Janam Din Arrangements for 3,000 Sikh Pilgrims Arriving from India and Worldwide

Lahore ( Nazrana Times) Ali imran Chattha 
 A high-level administrative meeting was held at the Punjab Home Department regarding the preparations for the Vaisakhi Mela and Khalsa Janam Din (Birth Anniversary of the Khalsa), organized under the auspices of the Evacuee Trust Property Board, Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony. Provincial Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique and Provincial Minister and Head of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, attended the meeting.
During the meeting, Additional Secretary of Shrines, Evacuee Trust Property Board, Nasir Mushtaq, gave a detailed briefing on the arrangements made for the pilgrims. On this occasion, the Secretary of Home Department Punjab, Dr. Ahmad Javed Qazi, and the Special Secretary of Home Department were also present.
During the briefing, Additional Secretary of Shrines Nasir Mushtaq stated that Sikh pilgrims from around the world, including India, will participate in the Vaisakhi events. According to the agreement, three thousand pilgrims will arrive in Pakistan on April 10th. The main ceremony will be held on April 14th at Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal. The pilgrims will visit various holy sites, including Nankana Sahib, Farooqabad (Sheikhupura), Kartarpur, Eminabad, and Lahore. Foolproof security, quality medical facilities, and excellent transport arrangements will be made for the pilgrims.
Addressing the meeting, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora stated that all institutions should demonstrate excellent teamwork through mutual cooperation to project a positive image of Pakistan to the world. Provincial Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique stated that the Punjab government will generously host guests arriving from around the world in accordance with their traditions, and special arrangements are being made for the safety and comfortable stay of the pilgrims. He directed that fitness certificates be made mandatory for all transport, while also ensuring the arrangement of additional bathrooms, heavy-duty generators, and more FIA counters.
On this occasion, Additional Secretary of Shrines Nasir Mushtaq said that Sikh pilgrims would be given even more respect, love, and honor than before, and every possible facility would be provided to them so they feel at home. He stated that respect for religion and hospitality are our traditions. Nasir Mushtaq further added that the continuous supply of gas and electricity would be ensured in all Gurdwaras, including Gurdwara Janam Asthan, while a zero-tolerance policy would be adopted regarding the security of Sikh pilgrims.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary of Human Rights, the Special Secretary of Home Department, the Additional IG Operations Punjab, the Additional Secretary of Internal Security, as well as representatives from the Health Department, Police, Transport, Customs, FIA, Rangers, Motorway Police, and other relevant institutions. Furthermore, the Commissioners, RPOs (Regional Police Officers), Deputy Commissioners, and DPOs (District Police Officers) of Nankana Sahib, Narowal, Gujranwala, Hasan Abdal, and other districts participated in the meeting via video link.