Auspicious journey: Hindu pilgrims arrive in city

LAHORE: A delegation of Hindu pilgrims arrived in Pakistan today at 11am via the Wagah Border. The pilgrims have travelled to Pakistan to participate in the Shiv Ratri celebrations. Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) officials and representatives of minorities welcomed them on their arrival. Chairman Siddique Al Farooq said the board had finalised security, food, travel and accommodation arrangements in this regard. He said the ETPB would leave no stone unturned to facilitate the pilgrims. Farooq said Shrines Additional Secretary Khalid Ali and Deputy Secretary General Azhar Sulehri would accompany them. The pilgrims spent the first day of their trip at Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore and will leave for Chakwal today (November 26). They will mark the festival of Holi at the Katas Raj Mandir on Thursday (November 27). Chairman Farooq will preside over the proceedings in Katas Raj. The delegation would also offer prayers at the Krishna Mandir in Lahore on Friday (November 28). They will depart for India on Sunday (November 30).

Published in The Express Tribune, November 26^th, 2014.