LAHORE(National Times)- Around 600 Sikhs from India arrived via Wagah Border on Wednesday to observe the death anniversary of Guru Arjun Dev Ji, known as Jore Mela.
Punjab Minister for Minorities Ramesh Singh Arora, Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Additional Secretary (Shrines) Nasir Mushtaq and Pakistan Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee officials welcomed the visiting pilgrims at Wagah.
Speaking on the occasion, Arora said Pakistan’s soil conveyed a message of peace, love and harmony. He said the government of Pakistan had issued visas to all Sikh pilgrims who applied to attend the commemorative events.
Nasir Mushtaq said such a large number of Sikh pilgrims had arrived in Pakistan for the occasion after a gap of 14 years. He said the death anniversary of Guru Arjun Dev Ji was observed in a spirit of unity and devotion.
He said comprehensive arrangements had been made for the pilgrims in accordance with the directions of ETPB Chairman Qamaruz Zaman, including medical facilities, security measures and quality transport services.
Special arrangements were also made to protect pilgrims from the intense summer heat, while CCTV cameras had been installed to ensure foolproof security.
Indian Sikh delegation leaders Sardar Gurmeet Singh Bohar and Parmjeet Singh said they regarded Pakistan as their second home and described the country’s Sikh religious sites as sacred to their faith.
They said the spiritual peace they experienced upon arriving in Pakistan was beyond words and expressed hope that love, goodwill and peace would continue to flourish between the peoples of the two countries. The main ceremony will be held at Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore on June 16.
