Birth of Sikh leader commemorated

The 358th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Gobind Singh were held at Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal with Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Attock President Sardar Ashar Hayat Khan as the chief guest.

A significant number of participants, including City President Irfan Qureshi, Sardar Ravinder Singh Jaggi, Paul Gill, and members from the Sikh and Christian communities, attended the event.

In honour of Guru Gobind Singh’s birthday, Sikhs organised a Nagar Kirtan procession, featuring a palanquin adorned with flowers. Sikh boys and girls circled the Panja Sahib while reciting from their religious scripture, Adi Granth. Traditional and cultural dances were also performed during the celebration.

PPP Attock president Sardar Ashar, along with members of the Sikh and Christian communities, cut the birthday cake commemorating the 10th Sikh Guru, Sardar Gobind Singh.

Addressing the media, Sardar Ashar said the fact that Muslims and members of the Christian community attended the Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib event demonstrates that Pakistan is a peaceful nation where people live in harmony and brotherhood. “The world needs to see the beautiful face of Pakistan,” he said.

The PPP leader said there was total freedom for all minorities to practice their faith in the country without any fear of discrimination.

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The future of Pakistan is bright and soon its economy will start travelling on the right track which, he said, will ease the lives of the people. The Sikh community expressed its gratitude to every attendee.

Closing the ceremony, Sardar Ashar expressed his gratitude to the diverse gathering for their enthusiasm and participation in the celebration of Guru Gobind Singh’s birth anniversary. He stressed the significance of such events in fostering unity, understanding, and mutual respect among different communities in the country.

Participants of the celebrations also shared moments of camaraderie and goodwill. The Sikh community, in particular, expressed their heartfelt appreciation for the inclusive spirit of the celebration, highlighting the importance of such events in promoting cultural harmony and religious tolerance.

The celebration served as a powerful reminder of the rich tapestry of Pakistan’s cultural and religious diversity, illustrating a commitment to coexistence and shared celebrations. Sardar Ashar concluded the event with a hopeful note, expressing confidence in the continued growth of such communal harmony and understanding in the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 6^th, 2024.