High-Level Meeting at Punjab Home Department to Review Arrangements for the 556th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji

A meeting was held at the Home Department, Punjab, regarding the arrangements for the 556th Birth Anniversary celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The meeting was attended by the Provincial Minister for Minorities Affairs and President of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora; Chairman, Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), Dr. Sajid Mahmood Chauhan; Secretary Home Department, Punjab, Dr. Ahmad Javed Qazi; Special Secretary Fazal-ur-Rehman; Additional Secretary Shrines, Nasir Mushtaq; Secretary Human Rights and Minorities Affairs; Commissioner Lahore, along with Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, RPOs, and DPOs of the relevant districts.

Additional Secretary Shrines, Nasir Mushtaq, gave a detailed briefing on the arrangements made for the Sikh pilgrims. He informed that foolproof security, medical facilities, transport, and quality accommodation were being ensured for the Yatrees. Continuous supply of gas and electricity at Gurdwara Janam Asthan and all other Gurdwaras would also be guaranteed.

Provincial Minister and PSGPC President Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora directed all departments to complete the arrangements in time to ensure the best possible facilities for the pilgrims. He said, “This matter concerns Pakistan’s honor — no negligence will be tolerated.” He further directed the FIA to establish additional counters to expedite the immigration process. The sale of items prohibited in the Sikh religion would be banned in the vicinity of the Gurdwaras.

Chairman ETPB, Dr. Sajid Mahmood Chauhan, said that respect for religion and hospitality are our traditions. Despite the prevailing situation between Pakistan and India, we will extend even greater respect, love, and hospitality to our Sikh guests than before. He added that we want our Sikh brothers to feel at home here. The Chairman also proposed that Pakistani Sikh doctors should volunteer their services to provide medical facilities to the pilgrims during the celebrations.

Additional Secretary Shrines, Nasir Mushtaq, emphasized that a zero-tolerance policy would be adopted regarding the security of Sikh pilgrims. He informed that the celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s 556th Birth Anniversary will be held from 4th to 13th November, with the main ceremony on 5th November at Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Nankana Sahib. Thousands of Sikh pilgrims from all over the world, including 3,000 from India under the bilateral agreement, will participate in this religious festival. The Yatrees will also visit Gurdwara Janam Asthan Nankana Sahib, Sacha Sauda Farooqabad, Gurdwara Panja Sahib Hassan Abdal, Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, Gurdwara Rohri Sahib Eminabad, and other historical Gurdwaras in Lahore.