Sikh, Hindu Pilgrims Visit Pakistan for Religious Pilgrimage

News Desk

Lahore: Indian Sikh and Hindu pilgrims visited Pakistan to celebrate religious rituals, marking a significant gesture of interfaith harmony and cultural respect between the two nations.

After celebrating the birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak, Indian Sikh pilgrims returned to India through the Wagha border crossing on Saturday, carrying cherished memories of their stay in Pakistan.

Speaking at the border, Sardar Gurmeet Singh, leader of the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee, expressed gratitude for the exceptional hospitality and arrangements made by the Pakistan government and the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB).

“The respect we received here is indescribable,” he said. Sardar Harjit Singh, representing the Delhi Gurdwara Management Committee, also praised the restoration of gurdwaras to their original grandeur and highlighted the excellent arrangements for transportation, medical care, and hospitality.

Meanwhile, a group of Hindu pilgrims from India arrived in Pakistan on Sunday via the Wagha border to visit the revered Shadani Darbar in Hayat Pitafi, Mirpur Mathelo, Sindh, and other sacred sites like the historic Sadhu Bela Temple in Sukkur.

The ETPB, under the leadership of Chairman Syed Atta-ur-Rehman, made comprehensive arrangements for their security, accommodation, and transportation. Saifullah Khokhar, ETPB’s Additional Secretary for Shrines, welcomed the pilgrims alongside local Hindu leaders.

ETPB officials emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to safeguarding minority religious sites and promoting interfaith harmony.

Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, President of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, highlighted the religious freedom and equal opportunities enjoyed by minorities in Pakistan. Khokhar noted that the special attention of Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Chaudhry Salik Hussain and ETPB Chairman Syed Atta-ur-Rehman ensured the successful facilitation of the pilgrims.

These visits underscore Pakistan’s dedication to fostering peace and religious respect by ensuring the comfort and safety of all pilgrims, reaffirming its reputation as a minority-friendly nation.