Under the administration of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) and the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Sikh pilgrims from India—around two thousand in total—currently on a 10-day religious pilgrimage to Pakistan, visited Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore. The pilgrims performed their religious rituals with deep devotion and reverence.

During their stay in Lahore, the Sikh yatrees also visited Gurdwara Singh Singhania, Gurdwara Chhatti Padshahi, Gurdwara Guru Ram Das, and the Dayal Singh Library, and paid their respects at the shrine of Hazrat Mian Mir (RA). They also enjoyed shopping in Anarkali Bazaar.

The Indian Sikh pilgrims expressed complete satisfaction over the excellent arrangements made by the ETPB and the district administration, saying that they felt the same love and comfort in Pakistan as in their own homes. They added that Pakistan has preserved their gurdwaras with great affection, sincerity, and respect, and that the warmth of the people reminded them of the true message of humanity.

According to Additional Secretary Shrines, Nasir Mushtaq, excellent arrangements have been made for the pilgrims’ accommodation, meals, transport, and medical facilities. Medical teams from Rescue 1122 and the ETPB are accompanying the yatrees. Electric generators have been provided to deal with load-shedding, while clean, new bedding has been arranged in beautifully decorated marquees and rooms for their stay. Gurdwara Dera Sahib has been adorned with decorative lights, and foolproof security arrangements are in place.

The Sikh yatrees will return to India through the Wagah Border on November 13, after completing their 10-day religious visit.

The 556th birth anniversary celebrations of the spiritual leader of the Sikh faith, Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji, concluded at Nankana Sahib. The central ceremony was held at Gurdwara Janam Asthan Nankana Sahib, under the administration of the Evacuee Trust Property Board and the Ministry of Religious Affairs & Interfaith Harmony.
While addressing the ceremony, the Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, said that all religions are worthy of respect and preach peace. “Religion is individual but humanity is shared,” he added. He stated that on the occasion of the birth anniversary, the ETPB team, in collaboration with provincial departments and other concerned institutions, made special arrangements to provide the best hospitality to the Sikh pilgrims. The Evacuee Trust Property Board, Ministry of Religious Affairs & Interfaith Harmony spent millions of rupees to ensure comfortable and excellent facilities for the pilgrims.
He mentioned that during the recent floods, Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur was damaged, but on the directives of Prime Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif, it was restored within 24 hours.
Giani Kuldeep Singh Gurgaj, who arrived from India, said, “We are in love with the sacred soil of Pakistan. We are freely moving here without any restrictions. The Sikh community is grateful to the Government of Pakistan for the respect and honor given to us. This is the land of our Guru, and no praise is enough for the holy Gurdwaras here. Our message is one of peace and brotherhood. The people of both countries desire peace and unity.”
Jatha Leader of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Bibi Gurdinder Kaur, said that Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji advocated for women’s rights and dignity. “We are delighted to visit Pakistan. Special arrangements have been made for women, and we received great respect.”
Jatha Leader of Delhi Gurdwara Management Committee, Sardar Ravinder Singh Sehwata, said: “The doors of the Pakistan government were already open. Our request was accepted by the Indian government, and we were given the opportunity to visit the sacred land.”
President of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, expressed gratitude to the Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Chairman ETPB Dr. Sajid Mehmood Chauhan, Additional Secretary Shrines Nasser Mushtaq, Chief Secretary, Health Minister, District Government Nankana, Police, and other departments for the excellent arrangements, including security. He said, “I believe that the Sikh community is the crown of Pakistan. The doors of Pakistan are always open for Sikhs. After returning from the pilgrimage, Sikh pilgrims will convey the message of love, peace, and respect they received here to the world.”
Additional Secretary Shrines ETPB, Nasser Mushtaq, congratulated the Sikh pilgrims and said that the Evacuee Trust Property Board is always at the forefront in serving Sikh pilgrims. “It is the honor of Pakistan that the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji took place here. The Government of Pakistan, through the Ministry of Religious Affairs, has sent a message of love not only to the Sikh community but to the entire world. During Vaisakhi, the Government of Pakistan issued four times more visas to Indian Sikh pilgrims than the agreed protocol, and not a single visa was rejected.”
The event was also addressed by Minister of State Khal Das Kohistani, Dr. Shezra Mansab, and other Sikh and political leaders. Chairman ETPB Dr. Sajid Mehmood Chauhan, Secretary ETPB Farid Iqbal, Deputy Secretary Faraz Abbas, Deputy Commissioner, DPO, Hindu leaders, various minority and political leaders, and Board officials attended the ceremony.
At the end of the ceremony, special gifts were distributed by Sikh leaders among the Federal Minister and other dignitaries.
The Sikh pilgrims from India visited Gurdwara Kiara Sahib, Gurdwara Balila Sahib, Gurdwara Patti Sahib, and Gurdwara Tambu Sahib in Nankana Sahib.
After the conclusion of the ceremony, a holy procession of Palki Sahib was taken from Gurdwara Janam Asthan to Gurdwara Kiara Sahib. The Sikh pilgrims will visit Sacha Sauda Farooqabad on November 6 and then proceed to Gurdwara Panja Sahib Hasan Abdal.

On the occasion of the 556th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji, approximately 2100 Sikh pilgrims from India have arrived in Pakistan. A grand welcome was accorded to them at Wagah Border, where the President of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, Chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board Dr. Sajid Mahmood Chauhan, and Additional Secretary Shrines Nasir Mushtaq warmly greeted the guests and presented them with flower bouquets.

Speaking to the media at Wagah Border, Jathedar of Akal Takht, Kaldeep Singh Gargaj, expressed that they have always been treated with great respect in Pakistan. He added that the gurdwaras in Pakistan are well-preserved in their original condition, for which he expressed gratitude to the Government of Pakistan, the Evacuee Trust Property Board, and the Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. Jatha leader Ravinder Singh from the Delhi Gurdwara Management Committee and members of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee also thanked the Government of Pakistan for issuing visas and said that Pakistan is the land of their Gurus and is deeply cherished by the Sikh community.

Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs and President of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, stated that the enthusiastic reception of the Sikh pilgrims reflects Pakistan’s positive image as a country that respects its minorities. The Sikh pilgrims feel joyous upon arriving in Pakistan and return with beautiful memories.

Additional Secretary Shrines Nasir Mushtaq, while speaking to the media, said that under the administration of the Evacuee Trust Property Board and the Ministry of Religious Affairs, foolproof security arrangements have been made for the Indian guests. Teams from the Board, district representatives, and the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee are dedicated to serving the pilgrims. High-quality transport and other facilities are being provided, along with medical desks, while Rescue 1122 teams and medical staff will accompany the bus convoys.

At Wagah Border, the Sikh pilgrims exchanged currency, received bus seat tickets, and were issued computerized identity cards by teams of the Evacuee Trust Property Board. They were served excellent langar, allotted rooms and welcomed into specially decorated marquees furnished with new, comfortable sofas. The President and members of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee expressed satisfaction with the arrangements and praised Additional Secretary Shrines Nasir Mushtaq and the Evacuee Trust Property Board for their efforts.

The central ceremony of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birth anniversary will be held on 5 November at Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib. Federal and provincial ministers will participate as chief guests, along with religious and minority leaders. Sikh pilgrims from India and across the world will perform their religious rituals. Later, a special “Palki Sahib” procession will also take place according to Sikh customs, which will pass through its designated routes and conclude peacefully. Extraordinary security arrangements have been ensured for the occasion.

سکھ مذہب کے بانی بابا گورو نانک دیو جی کے 556ویں جنم دن کی تقریبات حکومت پاکستان نے 2100 سے زائد بھارتی سکھ یاتریوں کو ویزے جاری کر دیے۔ یاتری 4 نومبر کو واہگہ بارڈر کے راستے پاکستان پہنچیں گے، جبکہ مرکزی تقریب 5 نومبر کو گوردوارہ جنم استھان ننکانہ صاحب میں منعقد ہوگی۔
متروکہ وقف املاک بورڈ، وزارت مذہبی امور و بین المذاہب ہم آہنگی کی زیر نگرانی بھارتی سکھ یاتریوں کے لیے تمام انتظامات مکمل کر چکا ہے۔ ایڈیشنل سیکرٹری شرائنز ناصر مشتاق نے کہا ہے کہ “بھارتی سکھ یاتریوں کی پہلے سے بھی زیادہ مہمان نوازی کی جائے گی۔ بابا گورو نانک کے جنم دن کی تقریبات کو شایانِ شان، پرامن اور مثالی انداز میں یقینی بنانے کے لیے تمام متعلقہ اداروں اور ضلعی حکومتوں سے مکمل رابطے میں ہیں اور انتظامات پاکستان سکھ گوردوارہ پربندھک کمیٹی کی مشاورت سے کیے جا رہے ہیں۔”
وفاقی وزیر مذہبی امور سردار محمد یوسف کے احکامات کے مطابق ایڈیشنل سیکرٹری شرائنز ناصر مشتاق کی زیر نگرانی یاتریوں کی سہولت کے لیے رہائش، لنگر، ٹرانسپورٹ، میڈیکل، صفائی اور فول پروف سیکیورٹی کے جامع انتظامات مکمل ہیں۔ واہگہ بارڈر سے مقدس مقامات تک یاتریوں کی نقل و حرکت کے لیے اعلیٰ معیار کی بسوں کا انتظام بھی کر لیا گیا ہے۔ جبکہ ایڈیشنل سیکرٹری شرائنز ناصر مشتاق نے واہگہ بارڈر، گوردوارہ جنم استھان ننکانہ صاحب، گوردوارہ پنجہ صاحب حسن ابدال اور گوردوارہ روڑی صاحب ایمن آباد سمیت مختلف مقدس مقامات کا دورہ کر کے انتظامات کا جائزہ لیا، اس دوران ڈپٹی سیکرٹری جنرل شرائنز اور ڈپٹی سیکرٹری شرائنز بھی ان کے ہمراہ تھے۔
طے شدہ شیڈول کے مطابق سکھ یاتری 4 نومبر کو واہگہ بارڈر کے راستے پاکستان پہنچیں گے جہاں ایڈیشنل سیکرٹری شرائنز ناصر مشتاق اور پردھان پاکستان سکھ گوردوارہ پربندھک کمیٹی سردار رمیش سنگھ اروڑہ و دیگر ان کا استقبال کریں گے۔ یاتری سخت سیکیورٹی میں ننکانہ صاحب پہنچیں گے۔ 5 نومبر کو گوردوارہ جنم استھان ننکانہ صاحب میں مرکزی تقریب منعقد ہوگی۔ 6 نومبر کو سکھ یاتری گوردوارہ سچا سودا کی یاترا کے بعد گوردوارہ پنجہ صاحب حسن ابدال روانہ ہوں گے جہاں ایک روز قیام کے بعد 8 نومبر کو گوردوارہ دربار صاحب کرتارپور جائیں گے۔ کرتارپور میں مذہبی رسومات کی ادائیگی کے بعد 10 نومبر کو یاتری گوردوارہ روہڑی صاحب ایمن آباد اور بعد ازاں لاہور پہنچیں گے۔ لاہور میں گوردوارہ ڈیرہ صاحب میں دو روز قیام کے بعد سکھ یاتری 13 نومبر کو واپسی کے لیے روانہ ہوں گے۔

The festival of lights “Diwali” was celebrated in temples Lahore and across the country under the administrative control of the Federal Ministry of Religious Affairs & Interfaith Harmony and the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB). Diwali celebrations were held in functional temples of Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where security arrangements were made to ensure the safety of Hindu citizens. Additional Secretary Shrines, Nasir Mushtaq, extended felicitations to the Hindu community on Diwali. On this occasion, special prasad and Eid gifts were distributed among the Hindu community.

The central ceremony was held at Krishna Mandir on Ravi Road, Lahore, which was decorated like a bride with electric bulbs, colorful lights, and flowers, while traditional illumination was also done. Under the supervision of Additional Secretary Shrines Nasir Mushtaq, complete arrangements were ensured including security, cleanliness, lighting, parking, drinking water and seating.

A large number of Muslim, Sikh, Christian and people from other faiths, along with Hindu religious leaders, attended the event. The participants offered special prayers for peace, brotherhood, religious harmony and prosperity in the country. Additional Secretary Shrines Nasir Mushtaq cut the Diwali cake along with the Hindu community, distributed special prasad and gifts, and hosted a lavish dinner for the guests.

Addressing the ceremony, Additional Secretary Shrines Nasir Mushtaq said that Diwali celebrations are a practical example of promoting interfaith harmony and religious tolerance in Pakistan. Like India and the rest of the world, the Hindu community living in Pakistan celebrated its traditional festival with reverence and respect.
He added that Diwali is celebrated to commemorate the return of Bhagwan Ram to Ayodhya after 14 years, and in this connection homes and temples are illuminated as a symbol of the triumph of good over evil. According to the Hindu calendar, the new year also begins from this day.

Arrangements for the 556th Birth Anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji

Important meeting held at the Head Office of ETPB under the chairmanship of Dr. Sajid Mahmood Chohan
Chairman’s visit to Gurdwara Janam Asthan Nankana Sahib and Gurdwara Dera Sahib Lahore to review administrative arrangements

An important meeting was held at the Head Office of the Evacuee Trust Property Board under the chairmanship of Dr. Sajid Mahmood Chohan, to review arrangements for the 556th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

During the meeting, Additional Secretary Shrines, Nasir Mushtaq, briefed that final arrangements were being made for the facilitation of Sikh pilgrims, including accommodation, security, transportation, and hospitality. He added that all possible steps will be taken to ensure the pilgrims are warmly welcomed.

Chairman ETPB Dr. Sajid Mahmood Chohan directed that clean and well-maintained accommodation, quality food, medical facilities, and transport services must be provided to the yatrees. He emphasized that close coordination with police and other relevant institutions should be maintained to ensure pilgrims can perform their religious rituals without fear or difficulty.

A special administrative meeting will also be held on October 2 at the ETPB Head Office, where all concerned departments will participate to finalize the arrangements for the yatrees arriving from India and across the globe.

The central ceremony of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s 556th birth anniversary will be held on November 5 at Gurdwara Janam Asthan Nankana Sahib with great devotion and reverence, where Sikh pilgrims from all over the world will participate in the religious rituals.

In this regard, Chairman ETPB along with Additional Secretary Shrines Nasir Mushtaq visited Gurdwara Janam Asthan Nankana Sahib, where Secretary Board Fareed Iqbal, XEN, and SD Technical were also present. They reviewed the ongoing arrangements and directed that no effort should be spared in serving the yatrees. The Chairman also inspected the proposed site for the “Guru Nanak Village” and instructed the Administrator to give special attention to its preparations.

Furthermore, the Chairman visited Gurdwara Dera Sahib Lahore, where he stressed upon ensuring foolproof security arrangements, proper lighting and electricity supply, provision of clean drinking water, cleanliness, parking facilities, and other conveniences for the pilgrims.

The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) has approved the Baba Guru Nanak Scholarship Program worth Rs. 5 million for Hindu and Sikh students.

Chairman ETPB, Dr. Sajid Mehmood Chauhan, approved the release of payments for the third and fourth quarters in line with the decision of the Board’s 353rd meeting. In this regard, a meeting was held at the Board’s head office in Lahore under the chairmanship of Dr. Sajid Mehmood Chauhan, which was attended by Additional Secretary Shrines Nasir Mushtaq, Secretary Pakistan Model Educational Institutions Foundation Sanaullah Khan, Chief Controller Accounts Adeel Ahmed, and other officials.

According to the decision, students will receive a monthly scholarship of Rs. 10,000 to help them continue their education despite financial challenges. The initiative aims to provide higher education opportunities to minority youth and promote educational growth among them.