Vaisakhi Celebrations at Panja Sahib: Pakistan beefs up security for Sikh pilgrims

LAHORE, East Punjab, Pakistan—To avail smooth pilgrimage to the Sikh devotees, the Pakistan government is making robust security arrangements. As per an estimate, 4,000 Sikh pilgrims from more than 15 countries are expected to arrive in Pakistan to mark the ‘Vaisakhi’ festival.

Sources have informed that the Pakistan administration has ordered the people residing nearby to Gurdwara Panja Sahib to keep their shops closed during the stay of Sikh pilgrims in the historical Sikh shrine. It has also come to fore that the Sikh pilgrims would not be allowed to roam freely in the market.

Sikh24 has learnt that more than 1,500 security guards have been deployed by the Pakistan government for the security of Sikh pilgrims. Special scanners and metal detectors have also been arranged to check luggage of Sikh pilgrims while letting them enter into historical Sikh shrines.

Every year, thousands of Sikh devotees attend Vaisakhi celebrations at Panja Sahib.  Sikh jathas from around the world also pay homage at various other historical Gurdwaras. 

Gurdwara Panja Sahib is a historical gurdwara located in Hasan Abdal, Pakistan. The shrine is considered to be particularly important as the handprint of Guru Nanak Dev Ji is imprinted on a boulder at the gurdwara here.

To mark the celebrations, an Akhand Path Sahib will be starting at the shrine.  Sikh Sangat and sevadars of the Pakistani Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee will take part in the continuous reading of Guru Granth Sahib.  Along with Sikh Sangat, SGPC is also sending a group of Ragi Jathas.