From Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi has issued visas to over 3,000 Indian Sikh pilgrims to attend the celebrations marking the 555th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism.
A spokesperson for the Pakistan High Commission confirmed that the visas, valid from November 14 to November 23, were issued under the 1974 Pakistan-India religious tourism agreement.
Indian pilgrims will enter Pakistan through the Wagah Border on November 14, with the main celebrations taking place at Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib on November 15. During their 10-day stay in Pakistan, the pilgrims will visit several other significant gurdwaras, including Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hassan Abdal, Gurdwara Sacha Sauda in Farooqabad, and Gurdwara Roohi Sahib in Aimanabad.
The Indian guests will also attend the ceremony at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur on November 19.
After staying at Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore, they will return to India via Wagah Border on November 24. The Evacuee Trust Property Board has completed all preparations to welcome the Indian pilgrims at Wagah Border on November 14.
Sardar Ramesh Singh Aroda, President of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, has urged the Indian pilgrims to bring US dollars instead of Indian currency to avoid issues with currency exchange and low exchange rates during their stay in Pakistan.
