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.

On the special directives of Federal Secretary for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Dr. Syed Atta-ur-Rehman, the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Karachi conducted a grand operation against land grabbers in Hyderabad and Sukkur, successfully reclaiming valuable government trust properties worth over Rs. 742 million.

Under the supervision of ETPB Secretary Fareed Iqbal, Administrator Asif Khan, along with his team, reclaimed 47 shops located on Station Road in Hyderabad (worth Rs. 250 million) and property in Phuleli Park (worth Rs. 130 million) from illegal occupants.

Similarly, in Sukkur district, valuable trust properties worth Rs. 262 million were recovered from land grabbers in areas including Miani Road and Sarafa Bazaar.

According to the Board’s spokesperson, successful operations were carried out in various areas of Karachi and Hyderabad with the support of local police and deputy administrators. In total, properties worth Rs. 742 million were reclaimed. All recovered properties have been immediately sealed, and security personnel have been deployed to safeguard them.

Administrator Karachi Asif Khan has submitted a detailed report of the operation to the federal government and the One-Man Commission.

Secretary Fareed Iqbal stated that, in light of federal government directives, indiscriminate operations against illegal encroachments on evacuee trust properties will continue, and no one will be allowed to unlawfully occupy trust land.

Sikh Pilgrims Arrive at Gurdwara Dera Sahib, Lahore for Vaisakhi Celebrations

Lahore, April 17, 2025 — As part of the ongoing Vaisakhi Mela and Khalsa Janmotsav celebrations organized under the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), Sikh pilgrims from India arrived today at Gurdwara Dera Sahib, Lahore, after completing visits to several revered Gurdwaras across Pakistan.

Secretary ETPB, Mr. Farid Iqbal, and Additional Secretary Shrines, Mr. Saifullah Khokhar, warmly received the pilgrims upon their arrival in Lahore.

According to the official itinerary, the first group of pilgrims, traveling in 65 buses, reached Lahore from Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hassan Abdal. The second group, comprising 62 buses, arrived from Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur after visiting Gurdwara Rohri Sahib in Eminabad.

Earlier, the pilgrims also performed religious rituals at Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Nankana Sahib, and Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Hassan Abdal.

Special ceremonies were held in honor of the visiting yatris under the arrangements of the ETPB. The pilgrims expressed heartfelt gratitude for the hospitality extended to them in Pakistan and enthusiastically raised slogans of “Pakistan Zindabad.”

The pilgrims will spend April 18 in Lahore, exploring local markets and purchasing gifts for their families. They are scheduled to return to India via the Wagah Border on the morning of April 19, 2025.

Indian Sikh pilgrims, in collaboration with the Evacuee Trust Property Board and the Federal Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Government of Pakistan, began harvesting wheat crops in Guru Nanak Dev Maharaj’s field at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur, under the Project Management Unit Kartarpur.

The Sikh pilgrims, accompanied by the CEO of the Project Management Unit, Additional Secretary Shrine Saifullah Khokhar, and other Sikh leaders, harvested the crops in Guru Nanak Dev Maharaj’s field. The pilgrims expressed their joy and spiritual connection to the land, chanting “Bole So Nihal” as they worked.

The event coincided with the Vaisakhi celebrations, and the Sikh pilgrims extended their heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Pakistan and the Evacuee Trust Property Board for taking good care of their historic Gurdwaras and allowing them to plough Guru Nanak Dev Maharaj’s fields, which holds deep spiritual significance for them.

They also expressed their appreciation for the warm hospitality and excellent arrangements made for the Vaisakhi celebrations and the Khalsa birthday. The Sikh pilgrims praised the efforts of the Project Management Unit Kartarpur for ensuring a smooth and memorable experience for them during their visit.

As part of the Vaisakhi celebrations, a Kabaddi match was organized under the auspices of the Project Management Unit Kartarpur and the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee. The Sikh pilgrims enjoyed traditional Punjabi dances, including Bhangra, and expressed their joy and gratitude.

The harvesting of Guru Nanak Dev Maharaj’s crops was a historic moment, reflecting the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of Sikhism. The event showcased the importance of agriculture, community service, and devotion in Sikhism, leaving a lasting impression on the Sikh pilgrims.

Evacuee Trust Property Board Ministry of Religious Affairs Interfaith Harmony Government of Pakistan
Federal Minister for the Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony attended the Vaisakhi Mela main ceremony organized by the etpb at Gurudwara Janam Asthan Nankan Sahab. Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, while congratulating the Sikh community on the occasion of Vaisakhi Mela and the birth of the Khalsa on behalf of Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Shahbaz Sharif and the entire nation, he said that government of Pakistan respects religion and gives great respect to the minorities. The government of Pakistan is committed to promoting interfaith harmony and religious commitment. He the that ETPB & Pakistan Sikh Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee PSGPC play vital role to for the arrangements of hospitality piligrims. The Minister, while appreciating the administration for organizing the religious events and paid tribute to the ETPB & PSGPC.
While Daljit Singh Sarna, a member of the Delhi Gurudwara Par Bandhak Committee from India, expressed his views on the occasion of Pakistan and said thanx for the excellent arrangements by the Pakistani government and ETPB. Although the number of pilgrims has doubled, there is no shortage of our hospitality in Pakistan.
Addressing the gathering, the Chairman of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Par Bandhak Committee psgpc, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora said that ETPB and the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Par Bandhak Committee are working day and night to provide hospitality and service to the pilgrims. The Chief Minister of Punjab has special love for minorities, which is why Sikhs are very proud in Pakistan. Gurdwaras are being renovated and made functional in Pakistan, which has further strengthened Sikh-Muslim friendship.
Minister of State Khail Das Kohistani said that the government of Pakistan is taking all possible steps for the welfare of minorities. The ceremony was also addressed by Additional Secretary Shrines, provincial ministers, Sikh Jatha leaders from India and others, while the High Commission Mr. Ban was participated, Federal Ministry of Religious Affairs representative, Secretary ETPB Farid Iqbal, Deputy Commissioner, DPO Nankana, Deputy Secretary Umar Javed Awan, Hindu leaders, Security Officer Asim Chaudhry, various minority and political leaders and officers of the board. The participants of the ceremony raised slogans of Pakistan Zindabad, Sikh Muslim Dosti Zindabad, while at the end, special gifts were distributed by the Sikh leaders to the Federal Minister and other participants.

Evacuee Trust Property Board Ministry of Religious Affairs Interfaith Harmony Government of Pakistan
Federal Minister for the Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, attended the Vaisakhi Mela main ceremony organized by the etpb at Gurudwara Janam Asthan Nankan Sahab, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, while congratulating the Sikh community on the occasion of Vaisakhi Mela and the birth of the Khalsa on behalf of Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Shahbaz Sharif and the entire nation, he said that government of Pakistan respects religion and gives great respect to the minorities. The government of Pakistan is committed to promoting interfaith harmony and religious commitment. He the that ETPB & Pakistan Sikh Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee PSGPC play vital role to for the arrangements of hospitality piligrims. The Minister, while appreciating the administration for organizing the religious events and paid tribute to the ETPB & PSGPC.
While Daljit Singh Sarna, a member of the Delhi Gurudwara Par Bandhak Committee from India, expressed his views on the occasion of Pakistan and said that India is happy to fast its Gurus among the Gurus from all over the world. There are excellent arrangements.