Pak visa for 3,800 Sikh devotees

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 20

Ahead of the 549th Parkash Utsav of Guru Nanak, the Pakistan High Commission here has issued visa to over 3,800 Sikh pilgrims. The devotees will be a part of commemorative ceremonies organised from November 21 to 30 along with Sikh jathas from other parts of the world.

The number of visas is higher than the maximum figure of 3,000, agreed between the two countries for this Gurpurb under the framework of the Bilateral Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974, claimed officials.

Pakistan’s High Commissioner Sohail Mahmood said this was a “special gesture” by the Pakistan Government in the run-up to the 550th birth anniversary celebrations.

Jathas leave today

Amritsar: Over 2,000 people will cross over the border to Pakistan tomorrow to commemorate the birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak on November 23 under the banner of the SGPC, DSGMC, Akali Dal (Delhi), Khalra Mission Committee and the Bhai Mardana Yaadgari Kirtan Darbar Society.

The SGPC-sponsored jatha comprising 1,227 devotees will be flagged off by its president Gobind Singh Longowal. Dr Roop Singh, chief secretary, SGPC, said at least 1,600 passports were sent for requisite documentation, but the Pakistani authorities rejected 403 applications without citing any reasons.

He said: “Around 60 per cent devotees go through the SGPC and rest under the banner of various organisations.”