Symbolic Welcome for Sikh Pilgrims at Wagah Border on the Martyrdom Day of Guru Arjan Dev Ji

Lahore: On the occasion of the martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, a symbolic ceremony to welcome Sikh pilgrims was held at the Wagah Border, organized by the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, and the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.

As per the agreement between Pakistan and India, around 1,000 Indian Sikh pilgrims visit Pakistan every year on June 9 to attend religious events and pay homage at their sacred sites. However, this year the Indian government did not grant permission for Sikh pilgrims to visit Pakistan, which was met with disappointment.

The ceremony was attended by Chairman ETPB Dr. Sajid Mahmood Chauhan, Additional Secretary Shrines Saif Ullah Khokhar, Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs, and President of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, along with other officials.

Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora stated, “Pakistan is the second home for Sikhs, and all arrangements to receive Indian Sikh pilgrims were fully in place.” He further added, “The Kartarpur Corridor is still open from Pakistan’s side, while the Indian government has closed it.”

Additional Secretary Saif Ullah Khokhar said that under the directives of Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf and ETPB Chairman Dr. Sajid Mahmood Chauhan, all arrangements including transportation, accommodation, security, and medical facilities were fully prepared to warmly welcome the pilgrims. “A red carpet had been laid out for their reception, but unfortunately, the Indian government did not allow them to come,” he said. “Nonetheless, we continue to invite Indian Sikh pilgrims – they are welcome to visit Pakistan anytime.” He added that there is hope Sikh pilgrims will come to Pakistan for the anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Makhdoom Syed Ali Raza Gillani expressed his sorrow saying, “We came to Wagah Border to welcome our Sikh guests, but sadly India did not allow them to come.”

The central ceremony for Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s martyrdom day will be held in Lahore on June

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf stated that Pakistan is a practical example of interfaith harmony. He emphasized that Pakistan is a peaceful, tolerant, and humane country where no discrimination is made on the basis of religion, color, or race.

Rejecting the baseless allegations made by India regarding the Golden Temple, he said that the respect and protection provided to religious sites of minorities in Pakistan is exemplary for the world. He added that the Evacuee Trust Property Board is actively working on the restoration and renovation of all places of worship associated with minority heritage, including gurdwaras.

He made these remarks while speaking to media representatives during his visit to Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hassan Abdal, accompanied by the local Sikh community. Present on the occasion were Chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board Dr. Muhammad Sajid Chauhan, Additional Secretary Shrines Saifullah Khokhar, Rawalpindi Zone Administrator Tanveer Hussain, Deputy Administrator Yasir Asghar Monga, and others.

Speaking to the media, he highlighted that the Evacuee Trust Property Board, Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, and other institutions are at the forefront of serving Sikh pilgrims. The Kartarpur Corridor is a living example of Pakistan’s practical efforts to promote religious harmony.

The federal minister announced that Sikh pilgrims from all over the world will be welcomed in June for the martyrdom anniversary of Guru Arjan Dev Ji and the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, with top-level arrangements being ensured for their stay and participation. He stated that on the occasion of Vaisakhi, 6,751 Sikh pilgrims were issued visas immediately, which was part of the Prime Minister’s policy of interfaith respect.

He reaffirmed that Pakistan not only protects its sacred sites but also considers it a duty to host visitors from around the world. On this occasion, the Sikh community expressed their love for the Pakistan Armed Forces over the success of Operation “Bunyad-ul-Marsous” and chanted slogans of “Pakistan Zindabad” at Gurdwara Panja Sahib.