Indian group arrives to mark Maharaja Ranjit Singh anniversary

About 350 Indian Sikh visitors have arrived in Pakistan for Maharaja Ranjit Singh's 187th death anniversary commemoration.

A group of 346 visitors arrived through the Wahga Border on Sunday.

Punjab Minorities Minister and Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee President Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora welcomed them at the border. Representatives of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and other Sikh organisations were present on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, the minister said Pakistan had issued visas to 438 Indian Sikh citizens for the anniversary. However, some pilgrims from Uttarakhand had reportedly been unable to obtain permission to travel from India.

He added that people of different faiths lived together in Pakistan with peace and harmony, and that Sikh pilgrims received support and hospitality at every level.

He announced that the guests would be taken on tours of Lahore's historical sites during their visit

Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Additional Secretary for Shrines Nasir Mushtaq said the group would visit Nankana Sahib, Kartarpur and other sacred sites, while the main anniversary ceremony would be organised at Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore on June 29.

ETPB Chairman Qamaruz Zaman said 17 gurdwaras across Punjab were currently open to pilgrims, while restoration and renovation work was under way at around 50 others.

He said that a significant number of young Sikh community members were participating in this year's visit, reflecting the younger generation's growing connection with its religious heritage.

One of the visitors, Harbhajan Singh, said the love and respect shown by the people of Pakistan was commendable and visiting the country brought a sense of spiritual peace.

Manpreet Kaur from Amritsar said people of Pakistan had always welcomed Sikh visitors with warmth.