Holy calling: Baba Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary celebrations from Nov 7

Thousands expected to visit Gurdwara Sri Punja Sahib in Hassan Abdal

ATTOCK: The district administration has finalised arrangements for the upcoming 546th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak to be held from November 7 to 11 at Gurdwara Sri Punja Sahib, Hasanabdal.     

Almost 3,000 Sikh pilgrims from India are expected to participate in the anniversary celebrations.

Attock District Coordination Officer Chaudhry Habibullah has said the government would provide free accommodation, health and messing facilities to the pilgrims.

The DCO held a meeting with District Police Officer Israr Ahmad Abbasi on Saturday to review the arrangements.

Habibullah said all markets around the site would remain closed and police and elite force personnel will perform security duties, adding that the administration would also install CCTV cameras at and around the venue.

He said pilgrims coming from India would be issued special identity cards at the Wahga Border.

The DCO said no pilgrim would be allowed to use mobile phones, however, a telephone booth would be set up inside the gurdwara to facilitate them.

Bomb disposal squad would be placed on alert, while Recue 1122 ambulances would be deployed at the gurdwara, added the DCO.

He further said no one would be allowed to establish any stall inside the gurdwara to avoid any security lapse.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 3^rd, 2014.