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