Over 600 Sikhs arrived here from India through the Wagah border on November 27 to take part in the celebrations of the 551st birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev at Nankana Sahib, the birth place of the founder of the Sikh faith.
The main ceremony will be held on November 30 at Gurdwara Janamasthan Nankana Sahib in Punjab province.
“Today a total 602 Indian Sikhs arrived here via Wagah border to participate in the 551st birth anniversary celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak in Nankana Sahib,” Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) spokesperson Asif Hashmi told PTI .
During their 10-day stay, the pilgrims will visit other gurdwaras in the province. On the instruction of ETPB chairman Dr. Aamer Ahmed, security arrangements have been made for the visiting pilgrims, Mr. Hashmi said.
ETPB Additional Secretary (Shrines) Tariq Wazir, Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandak Committee (PSGPC) President Satwant Singh and General Secretary Ameer Singh, and former PSGPC President Bishan Singh welcomed the Sikh pilgrims at the Wagah Border.
Two members of Indian High Commission, R.B. Sohran and Santosh Kumar arrived here from Islamabad to greet the pilgrims at Wagah.
Mr. Hashmi said the representatives of Punjab health department checked all passengers for COVID-19 negative test reports and signs of the infection.
After immigration and customs formalities, the delegates left for Gurdwara Janamasthan Nankana Sahib by buses.
Every year, more than 2,000 Sikhs come to Pakistan to take part in the birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev. The number is reduced this year due to the ongoing pandemic.
