Baisakhi festival: 3,800 Sikh yatris to visit Pakistan, says Siddiqul Farooq

Yatris from India to arrive at Wagha border on April 12

LAHORE: A total of 3,800 Sikh yatris will visit Pakistan to celebrate the Baisakhi festival in April, Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Chairman Siddiqul Farooq said on Wednesday. He was briefing the media about preparations made for the festival.

“2,000 yatris will come from India while the rest will be from Canada, the USA and Europe.



They will be extended hospitality in accordance with the teachings of Islam. A total of 20,000 Sikhs are expected to participate in Baisakhi celebrations in Pakistan this year,” he said.

He said Sikh yatris from India would arrive in Pakistan through Wagha border crossing on April 12. “The main ceremony will be held in Gurdwara Panja Sahib at Hasan Abdal on April 14,” he said.

He said the visitors would be provided good accommodations. “The services of Red Crescent and Young Doctors’ Association will be enlisted for providing medical facilities to the yatris.

CCTV cameras and walkthrough gates will be installed to ensure their security,” the ETPB chairman said.

“We hope that the Sikh yatris take back good memories from our country.

This will also enable Pakistan to improve its relations with other countries,” he said.



Pakistan Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee Pardhan Sardar Shayam Singh said the government was taking steps for the welfare of minority communities, especially Sikhs. He said necessary measures would be taken to improve security for the visitors.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 17^th, 2016.