AMRITSAR SAHIB, Punjab—The Indian Ministry of External Affairs on October 28 gave nod to Sikh pilgrims to celebrate 548th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji in Pakistan. More than 3,000 Sikh pilgrims are expected to arrive in Pakistan from India via Attari railway station on November 2.
Sources within SGPC have informed that the Pakistani High Commission is expected to handover the passports with Visa stamp on October 30.
Speaking with Sikh24, SGPC Secretary Dr. Roop Singh informed that 947 Sikh pilgrims, who had applied through the SGPC, will be handed over their passports on October 30 or October 31. He added that the details exact count of rejected pilgrims will also get cleared by October 31.
It is pertinent to note here that the count of Sikh pilgrims applying for visa through SGPC is declining every year. For applying through the SGPC for visiting Sikh shrines in Pakistan, nod of applicant’s segment SGPC member is necessary. It is learnt that the SGPC members these days are not taking any interest due to their rising engagement in political activities.
Unlike the pilgrimage of past years, the Sikh pilgrims this time will be directly boarded to Gurdwara Sri Nankana Sahib. An Akhand Path Sahib will be laid in the evening hours of November 2 on the arrival of Sikh pilgrims at Sri Nankana Sahib which will be culminated on November 4.
The Sikh devotees will be sent to Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal (Lahore) on November 5 and from November 7 to 10 they will be taken to different Sikh shrines including Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, Gurdwara Rodi Sahib, Bhai Lalo Di Khuhi (Aimnabad) situated in the West Punjab (Pakistan). On November 11, the Sikh devotees will be routed back to Punjab via Attari Railway station.
we have become beggars . Anyone can kick us anywhere.