CHANDIGARH, Punjab—In the wake of the prevailing coronavirus pandemic, the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has suggested the old-aged Sikhs and children to refrain from attending the 551st Parkash Purab celebrations at Gurdwara Janam Asthan Sri Nankana Sahib. The PSGPC has also appealed the Sikhs of other age-groups to rush towards Gurdwara Janam Asthan in less number than earlier.
It is pertinent to note here that the Sikh Diaspora is also facing hurdles in reaching Pakistan to celebrate 551st Parkash Purab this year due to the re-imposition of lockdown in their countries.
In this concern, the PSGPC leaders underwent a meeting with the ETPB officials in Lahore on November 24.
After thorough deliberation in this meeting, PSGPC’s general secretary Ameer Singh said that the Sikh sangat should participate in the 551st Parkash Purab celebrations in the least number keeping in view the prevailing coronavirus pandemic.
SGPC faces 35% visa rejection rate
CHANDIGARH, Punjab—As per the information availed by SGPC’s internal sources, only 325 out of the total 504 Sikh applicants, who had applied through SGPC, have been granted visas by the Pakistani consulate. The visa-stamped passports of successful applicants reached SGPC’s office in the late evening hours on November 24.
On being contacted by the media, SGPC’s additional secretary Sukhdev Singh Bhoora Kohna the successful Sikh pilgrims have been granted 5-day visas by the Pakistani consulate. “These Sikh pilgrims will depart for Sri Nankana Sahib on November 27 under the leadership of SGPC member Amarjit Singh Bhalaipur. Jathedar Harpal Singh Jalla and Gurmeet Singh Booh will be the deputy heads of this Jatha,” he added.
