A total of 1,932 Sikh pilgrims concluded their 10-day religious visit to Pakistan and returned to India via the Wagah Border on Thursday.The pilgrims visited under arrangements of the Evacuee Trust Property board (ETPB) and Federal Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony.They were bid farewell at the Wagah Border by Pradhan Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara ParbandhakCommittee Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, ETPB Additional Secretary Shrines Nasir Mushtaq,and other committee members. 

Speaking to the media before departing, the pilgrims said: “ The government of Pakistan made excellent arrangements for our stay. We received even more respect and affection here than in our own country. Our gurdwaras in Pakistan are safe and well preserved.” Bibi Guro Rinder Kaur, Jatha leader of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), expressed gratitude for the arrangements, saying, “All pilgrims who came with our group are thankful to the ETPB and the government of Pakistan.   

We enjoyed complete freedom to perform religious rituals and visit holy sites. Security, accommodation, and medical facilities were exceptionally well organised. ” ETPB Additional Secretary Shrines Nasir Mushtaq said, “The government of Pakistan has never rejected any Sikh pilgrim’s visa application. Special visas were issued for this visit as well. Hosting Hindu and Sikh pilgrims and promoting religious tourism are top priorities. Returning pilgrims will carry Pakistan’s message of peace and love across the world.” 

He added that the ETPB spends significant funds on hospitality, renovation, and security of minority worship sites in Pakistan. During the farewell ceremony, special gifts and bouquets were presented to the pilgrims on behalf of Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf and ETPB Chairman Dr Sajid Mahmood Chauhan. Pradhan Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora thanked the Pakistani government, ETPB, provincial departments, and security agencies for their arrangements and hospitality.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)