448 Sikh pilgrims arrive in Pakistan

Nearly 450 Sikh pilgrims from India have arrived here in Pakistan to observe the 177th death anniversary of king of the first Sikh empire Maharaja Ranjeet Singh and to participate in a series of events.
Officials of theEvacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB),which looks after the holy places of minorities in Pakistan, greeted the 448 Sikh pilgrims at the Wagah Railway Station yesterday.
"We are happy to be here to visit our holy places. We receive love from the people here. We are thankful to the board for taking care of our holy places," group leader Sardar Govinder Singh told reporters.

He said there should be a soft visa policy for the citizens of both the countries so that people could easily visit their holy places.
The government of Pakistan has made all arrangements for comfortable and secure stay of the Sikh pilgrims, said Khalid Ali, ETPB Additional Secretary for gurdwaras.
Ali said special arrangements have been made for their travel to different gurdwaras in Punjab province.

The main event will be held at Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore on June 26 to observe the 177th death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh, he said.
The pilgrims will also visit holy places including Gurdwara Janamasthan in Nankana Sahib between June 22 and 25, said ETPB spokesman Amir Hashmi.

They will return to India on June 28.