Pakistan issues 2,800 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India for Baisakhi
Lahore: Pakistan has issued at least 2,800 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to visit the country for Baisakhi festival scheduled to be held in Punjab province between April 10 and 14, an official said on Tuesday.
"On the occasion of Baisakhi and the 327th Khalsa Janam Din celebrations, Pakistan has issued more than 2,800 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India," Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) spokesperson Ghulam Mohyuddin told PTI.
He said the Sikh pilgrims from India are scheduled to arrive via the Wagah border on April 10 with the main ceremony being held on April 14 at Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal, some 400 kms from Lahore.
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Besides participating in the annual Baisakhi Mela in Pakistan, the Sikhs from India will also visit Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Nankana Sahib and Kartarpur Sahib.
The spokesperson said a high-level review meeting was held on Tuesday at the Punjab Home Department to finalise security and hospitality arrangements for the pilgrims arriving from India and other parts of the world.
ETPB Additional Secretary Shrines Nasir Mushtaq said the board has ensured comfortable accommodation in well-decorated marquees, quality bedding, clean drinking water, air conditioning, and proper washroom facilities at the gurdwaras and residential sites.
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"Foolproof security arrangements will be in place at all religious sites and surrounding areas," he said.
Baisakhi, or Vaisakhi, is celebrated on the first day of the month of Vaisakh and also marks the beginning of the harvest season.
"On the occasion of Baisakhi and the 327th Khalsa Janam Din celebrations, Pakistan has issued more than 2,800 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India," Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) spokesperson Ghulam Mohyuddin told PTI.
He said the Sikh pilgrims from India are scheduled to arrive via the Wagah border on April 10 with the main ceremony being held on April 14 at Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal, some 400 kms from Lahore.
Also Read: Iran rejects ceasefire, demands 'permanent end to war' in counter-proposal to US, says IRNA
Besides participating in the annual Baisakhi Mela in Pakistan, the Sikhs from India will also visit Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Nankana Sahib and Kartarpur Sahib.
The spokesperson said a high-level review meeting was held on Tuesday at the Punjab Home Department to finalise security and hospitality arrangements for the pilgrims arriving from India and other parts of the world.
ETPB Additional Secretary Shrines Nasir Mushtaq said the board has ensured comfortable accommodation in well-decorated marquees, quality bedding, clean drinking water, air conditioning, and proper washroom facilities at the gurdwaras and residential sites.
Also Read: ‘Stay indoors for next 48 hours, avoid military sites’: India issues advisory for nationals in Iran
"Foolproof security arrangements will be in place at all religious sites and surrounding areas," he said.
Baisakhi, or Vaisakhi, is celebrated on the first day of the month of Vaisakh and also marks the beginning of the harvest season.
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