Pak grants visa to 300 Sikh pilgrims

JATHA TO LEAVE FOR PAK TO OBSERVE DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF MAHARAJA RANJIT SINGH ON JUNE 28

AMRITSAR The Pakistan embassy has issued visas to 300 Sikh pilgrims on the request of different Sikh organisations including International Bhai Mardana Yadgari Kirtan Darbar Society.

The jatha is set to leave for the neighbouring country on June 28 after getting assurance that a special train will be sent by Pakistan to receive them at Wagah Border. The jatha will visit Pakistan to observe death anniversary of Maharaja Singh Ranjit Singh at his ‘samadhi’ (tomb) situated near Gurdwara Dehra Sahib, Lahore.

Bhai Mardana Society president Harpal Singh Bhullar said, “We had written to Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) and Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) for visas.” “The Sikh pilgrims who have been issued the visas owe allegiance to Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), Khalra Mission Committee and Nankana Sahib Committee besides our society,” said Bhullar.

Notably a jatha of this society and other organisations were to leave for Pak in wake of martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev. But the special train did not arrive leaving the pilgrims disappointed. “If the same situation arises again, we will go by road”, said Bhullar. “The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) should also send its jatha to pay tribute to Maharaja,” he said.

The pilgrimage will start from June 28 to July 7. Notably, the SGPC did not send its jatha after the central government refused to guarantee security for the pilgrims.