Pakistan deploys paramilitary to provide security to Sikh pilgrims

[Omar1984]

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Thursday, April 9, 2009 13:58 IST


Lahore: Pakistani authorities have for the first time deployed paramilitary troops as part of elaborate arrangements to provide security to thousands of Sikh pilgrims from around the world, including India, arriving here to participate in Baisakhi celebrations.

"As Pakistan is in the grip of terror attacks, the government has decided to deploy Pakistan Rangers, besides police personnel, to ensure the safety of the visiting pilgrims," Fraz Abbas, Deputy Director (shrines) in the Evacuee Trust Property Board, sais.

This is the first time that the Pakistan Rangers have been deployed for the security of Indian pilgrims.

Pakistan has witnessed a series of deadly suicide bombings and terrorist attacks in recent weeks. The ETPB is responsible for maintaining gurdwaras and temples across Pakistan and facilitating visits by 'yatris' or pilgrims.

Last year, over 4,000 Indian Sikhs visited Pakistan to celebrate the Baisakhi festival that marks the end of the wheat harvesting season. "It is expected that not more than 1,000 Sikhs will come this year," Abbas said.

Elaborate security measures had been put in place to ensure the security of the pilgrims. "Close circuit TV cameras and walk-through gates have been installed in the five major gurdwaras in Punjab. Security officials will escort pilgrims on their way to holy places and guard them till the culmination of the festival," Abbas said.

No person will be allowed to enter the gurdwaras without a security pass. "The government has made the security pass mandatory even for ETPB officials, including its chairman, and media persons," Abbas said.

Unlike previous years, he said, the ETPB has also decided to arrange free transport for the pilgrims.

The yatris from India will arrive through the Wagah border by special trains from April 11. Officials of the ETPB and Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee will receive them.

The main function will be held in Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasanabdal.

During their nine-day stay in Pakistan, the Indian Sikhs will also visit Gurdwara Janamsthan in Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak, Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore, Gurdwara Succha Soda in Farooqabad and Gurdwara Rohri Sahib in Aimanabad. They will return home on April 20.

Local Sikhs and Hindus will also participate in the celebrations.


DNA: World: Pak deploys paramilitary to provide security to Sikh pilgrims

[Omar1984]

Pakistan ready to open visa office in Amritsar: Official

7 Apr 2009, 1619 hrs IST


ISLAMABAD: Pakistan government is ready to open a visa office at Amritsar to facilitate Sikh pilgrims, a top official said today ahead of a major
festival that is expected to be attended by thousands of Sikhs from around the world.

Syed Asif Hashmi, chairman of the Evacuee Property Trust Board that is responsible for maintenance of shrines of minority communities, said the government has placed no bar on Sikh pilgrims from India visiting Pakistan.

The government is ready to open a visa office at Amritsar to facilitate Sikh pilgrims, Hashmi said. He added that, on his recommendation, the government had increased visits by Sikhs to gurdwaras in Pakistan from four to eight a year.

The visiting 'yatris' or pilgrims will be provided 25 new buses this year, he said.

Hashmi said the EPTB had finalised all arrangements for the Besakhi festival beginning on April 12 that is expected to be attended by over 16,000 Sikhs from across the world, including India.

An international Guru Nanak University will be established on 100 acres provided by the EPTB at Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of the founder of the Sikh religion, Hashmi said.


Pak ready to open visa office in Amritsar: Official - India - The Times of India

[Omar1984]

Indian Sikh Yatrees to visit Hasanabdal for Besakhi festival

Thursday, April 09, 2009

WAH CANTT: Some 3,000 Indian Sikh Yatrees will arrive at Hasanabdal to celebrate their world famous religious festival Besakhi.

Deputy Director Evacuee Trust Board Syed Faraz Abbas said all arrangements to receive the Yatrees, who are likely to reach the Punja Sahib on Friday evening to participate in the festival, had been completed.

He said the Pakistan Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and the Evacuee Trust Property Board had made special arrangements for boarding and lodging of the Yatrees. The Auqaf Department, the Evacuee Trust Property Board and the Gurdwara Committee have already renovated and illuminated the Gurdwara building.

The festival would conclude on April 13 and the Yatrees would start leaving for their holy place the same evening through special caravans. The three-day event of the Besakhi Festival is celebrated throughout the world, but its celebrations in Pakistan bear special significance for being the birthplace of the founder of the Sikh religion, Baba Guru Nanak, at Nankana Sahib near Lahore and settlement of their last human Guru Govind Singh Maharaj at Hasanabdal.

Thousands of followers of the Sikh religion from across the globe, especially from India, Gulf and Europe, come to Pakistan every year in April to offer their religious rituals, including the Akhand Paath Sahib, Bhog, Ardas and Hukam Nama. They also take Ashnan (bath) in the stream to purify their souls.


Indian Sikh Yatrees to visit Hasanabdal for Besakhi festival

[Patriot]

Interesting.Should provide good security to Sikhs during this event.

[ANDUBYLL]

Pakistan should zero in on groups like LET and JeM . Both this groups are known to target non muslims in particular. The Sri Lankan bus attack and how easily it was executed, will only provide these groups with more incentive to attack

[TOPGUN]

Very good news this should be done to secure there events ! peace is the best thing for everyone!

[Gabbar]

Thank you Omar for posting this news. I was kind of wondering what was hapenig in that regard. Hopefuly situation improves and these kind of visits get more regular.

One question, bit off topic, How far is Hassan Abdal from Lahore?

[SurvivoR]

Thank you Omar for posting this news. I was kind of wondering what was hapenig in that regard. Hopefuly situation improves and these kind of visits get more regular.

One question, bit off topic, How far is Hassan Abdal from Lahore?

At about 8 hours distance.

[TOPGUN]

Gabber bahi are u going to lahore for the events??

[Omar1984]

Thank you Omar for posting this news. I was kind of wondering what was hapenig in that regard. Hopefuly situation improves and these kind of visits get more regular.

One question, bit off topic, How far is Hassan Abdal from Lahore?

You're very welcome. Hasan Abdal is about 7-8 hours drive from Lahore with traffic. Its more nearer to Islamabad than Lahore.

[Omar1984]

Sikh Pilgrims Arrive to Pakistan for Besakhi Mela

Saturday, April 11, 2009 at 12:59 pm



WAGAH: One thousand Sikh pilgrims arrived Pakistan by a special train on Saturday for visit to Nankana Sahib on the occasion of Besakhi Mela.

Security was tightened at Wagah border railway station and no unconcerned persons were allowed entry in the station except the media and administration officials.

The officials welcomed the Sikh pilgrims at the station. The pilgrims will attend the 540th birth anniversary celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak during their visit to Nankana Sahib.

After three-day celebrations of Besakhi Mela, the pilgrims will visit Gurdwara Sacha Soda in Shekhupura on Wednesday morning.



Sikh Pilgrims Arrive Pak For Besakhi Mela

[Zob]

i hope people come 2 hassan abda and see for themselves how religiously tolerant are we pakistanis.....respect to all my sikh brothers!!!

[Gabbar]

Thank You Pakistan!!!

[DarkStar]

Thank You Pakistan!!!

You're Welcome Khalistan....oops, I mean Bharat.

Wahe Guru ji da Khaalsa

Wahe Guru ji di Fateh

Bolo Soonehaal

[Omar1984]

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Thank You Pakistan!!!

You're welcome.

Long Live Punjab