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LAHORE, Nov 05 (APP):The 556th birth anniversary celebrations of Sikh religion’s spiritual leader, Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji, concluded at Gurdwara Janam Asthan Nankana Sahib with a grand central ceremony organised by the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) under the Federal Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony.
The central ceremony was attended by Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, who in his address said that all religions deserve respect and promote peace and harmony. “Every religion has its own identity, but humanity is shared,” he remarked. He appreciated the excellent arrangements made by the ETPB team, provincial departments, and other institutions for the facilitation and hospitality of Sikh pilgrims. He added that millions of rupees were spent to ensure pilgrims’ comfort and that, following recent floods, Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur was restored within 24 hours on the special directives of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.
Speaking on the occasion, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj of Akal Takht (India) expressed deep affection for Pakistan, saying, “We love the land of Pakistan and are moving here freely without any restrictions.” He thanked the government of Pakistan for the respect and hospitality extended to the Sikh community, calling it “the land of our Guru.” He emphasised that the Sikh message is one of peace and brotherhood, and that people in both countries wish for harmony and unity.
Indian Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee leader Bibi Gurinder Kaur said that Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji advocated for women’s rights and respect. She expressed happiness over her visit to Pakistan, acknowledging the special arrangements and respect given to women pilgrims.
Delhi Gurdwara Management Committee leader Sardar Ravinder Singh Sawhney stated that the doors of the government of Pakistan had always been open for Sikh pilgrims, and thanked both governments for facilitating their visit to this sacred land.
Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs and President of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, thanked Federal Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, ETPB Chairman Dr. Sajid Mehmood Chohan, Additional Secretary Shrines Nasir Mushtaq, the chief secretary, Health minister, Nankana district administration, police, and other departments for their outstanding arrangements. He said, “The Sikh community is the crown of Pakistan, and the doors of the country will always remain open for them.” He urged Sikh pilgrims to share the message of love, peace, and respect they received in Pakistan with the world upon returning home.
Additional Secretary Shrines, Nasir Mushtaq, congratulated Sikh pilgrims on the birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak, saying that ETPB has always been at the forefront in serving Sikh devotees. He said it was an honor for Pakistan that Guru Nanak was born on its sacred soil, and that the government of Pakistan continues to spread a message of love and harmony to the entire world. He noted that during the recent Baisakhi Mela, Pakistan issued four times more visas to Indian Sikh pilgrims than the agreed protocol and did not reject a single application.
Minister of State, Kheal Das Kohistani, Dr. Shizra Mansab, and other Sikh and political leaders also addressed the ceremony. ETPB Chairman Dr. Sajid Mehmood Chohan, Secretary Fareed Iqbal, Deputy Secretary Faraz Abbas, deputy commissioner, DPO, Hindu leaders, and representatives of various minority and political groups attended the event.
Sikh leaders presented special gifts to the federal minister and other guests. Indian Sikh pilgrims visited Gurdwara Kiara Sahib, Gurdwara Bal Lila Sahib, Gurdwara Patti Sahib, and Gurdwara Tambo Sahib in Nankana Sahib. Later, the Palki Sahib procession moved from Gurdwara Janam Asthan to Gurdwara Kiara Sahib. The Sikh pilgrims will visit Sacha Sauda in Farooqabad on November 6 before departing for Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Hassan Abdal.