All set for Guru Nanak’s birthday celebrations
Sikh pilgrims arrive to take part in a religious ritual on the occasion of the 481st death anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, at the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur near the India-Pakistan border on September 22, 2020. AFP/FILE
The 554th birth anniversary celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak are all set to begin from November 28 to 30 at Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib in Hasanabdal. Pilgrims from all over the world, including neighbouring India, will participate in the event.
Attock Deputy Commissioner Rao Atif Raza in a meeting related to the preparations said all possible facilities should be provided to the pilgrims and no negligence will be tolerated in this regard.
Attock DPO Dr Ghayas Gul Khan, Attock Additional Deputy Commissioner General Adnan Anjum Raja, Hasanabdal Assistant Commissioner Dr Sana Ram Chand, Health Department CEO Doctor Asad Ismail, Education Department Cehif Executive Officer Malik Mohsin Abbas, and representatives of all relevant departments were present in the meeting.
Raza was briefed on the arrangements made regarding the birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak.
Responding to a question, he said the best possible arrangements should be made for the arrival of Sikh pilgrims so that they could see the positive face of Pakistan and return to their countries with a loving message.
He expressed satisfaction over the arrangements made so far by various government departments. He instructed all departments including the Health Department, Civil Defence, RESCUE 1122, IESCO and other administrative bodies to perform their duties efficiently.
Meanwhile, Attock DPO Dr Ghayas Gul Khan reviewed the security arrangements and directed to place a ban on carrying meat, leather, cigarettes and other items inside the Gurdwara, which will be strictly enforced.
He said all possible measures have been taken for foolproof security so that any untoward incident does not take place. He also conveyed to the security agencies that he himself would supervise the security matters and no negligence would be tolerated in this regard.
The pilgrims will be received by senior officials who would further guide them regarding their trip. They will be taken to Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib by special buses under strict security. During their three-day stay, religious rituals will be performed along with attendance at religious places.
The founder of Sikh religion Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji spent the last 18 years of his life in Kartarpur. The Gurdwara is considered to be the most sacred shrine of Sikh religion.
His birth is celebrated worldwide as Guru Nanak Gurpurab on Katak Pooranmashi ‘full-moon of Kattak’.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 22nd, 2023.