The Pakistan High Commission remained over the weekend to issue visas to Sikh pilgrims to visit Pakistan for the 546th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Nov 6.
Keeping in view the huge number of applicants, the visa section remained open over the weekend, said the high commission in a statement.
The pilgrims will be leaving for Pakistan Nov 4.
Sikh pilgrims would reach Nankana Sahib on Nov 6 (Thursday) where the main ceremony would be held at Gurdwara Janam Asthan, the birthplace of Guru Nanak.
Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf will be chief guest at the ceremony during which Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) chairman Siddiq-ul-Farooq and other Board officials would also participate, said Pakistani media reports.
Siddiq-ul-Farooq said in a statement that this time around 30,000 Sikh pilgrims would be visiting Pakistan for the celebrations. The ETPB and the Pakistani government have taken strict security and other measures for the pilgrims.
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Siddiq-ul-Farooq said Pakistan Railway has been tasked to run special trains for the pilgrims.
The pilgrims would also be offered 'Amrut Jal' on the occasion from the ETPB and Pakistan government as a token gift, the reports quoted him as saying.