Pakistan issues visas to 962 Indian Sikh pilgrims for religious event

Pilgrims will arrive in Pakistan via the Wagah border on Saturday for Guru Arjan Dev Ji's martyrdom day commemoration

LAHORE:

In commemoration of the martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth guru of Sikhs, the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi has issued visas to 962 Indian Sikh pilgrims. These pilgrims will arrive in Pakistan via the Wagah border on June 8.

The main ceremony for Guru Arjan Dev Ji's martyrdom day will be held on June 16 at Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore. Safullah Khokhar, Additional Secretary Shrines of the Evacuee Trust Property Board, informed The Express Tribune that Indian Sikh pilgrims will be warmly welcomed at the Wagah border.

He outlined the schedule for their stay in Pakistan, stating that on June 8, the Sikh pilgrims will be brought to Hasan Abdal, where they will stay for a day. On June 10, they will visit the birthplace of Guru Nanak Sahib in Nankana Sahib.

After the pilgrimage to Sacha Sauda in Farooqabad on June 11, they will return to Nankana Sahib. On June 12, the pilgrims will visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, then proceed to Gurdwara Rohri Sahib in Eminabad, before reaching Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore on June 16 for the central ceremony.

Thousands of Sikh pilgrims from across the country will also participate in the main ceremony and return on June 17.

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Khokhar also stated that all arrangements regarding accommodation, travel, and security for Indian guests have been completed, with all relevant departments ready to provide services 24/7.

He further revealed that the second group of Sikh pilgrims, arriving to observe the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, will come to Pakistan via the Wagah border on June 21. The main ceremony for Maharaja Ranjit Singh's death anniversary will be held at his Samadhi in Lahore on June 29, with the second group returning on June 30.

It may be noted that Gurdwara Dera Sahib is an important site where Guru Arjan Dev Ji was martyred in 1606.

According to Sikh traditions, Chandu Lal, the finance minister of Mughal Emperor Jahangir, wanted to arrange a marriage alliance between his daughter and Guru Arjan Dev Ji's son. However, Guru Ji refused, which angered the emperor. Subsequently, Guru Ji was imprisoned, tortured severely, and finally martyred at this location, where the sacred well is also present, and where Guru Arjan Dev Ji's mortal remains could not be found.