More than 4,000 Sikh pilgrims arrived in Pakistan on Sunday to celebrate the 535th anniversary of the birth of the founder of their religion Guru Nanak Dev, officials said. Some 3,000 devotees arrived by special trains from India and were received by Pakistani officials at this border crossing near the eastern city of Lahore.
Another 1,500 Sikhs were arriving by air later Sunday from different parts of the world to attend the religious rituals at the shrine at Nankana Sahib, where the founder of the Sikh faith was born in 1469, in Sheikhopura district.
In addition to anniversary celebrations on November 26, the pilgrims will also visit shrines in Lahore and the western city of Hassan Abdal.
Indian Sikhs have resumed their pilgrimage to Nankana Sahib after a gap of five years caused by political tensions between Pakistan and India. A leader of the Indian Sikhs, Sardar Kabul Singh, said it was up to New Delhi and Islamabad to ensure friendly relations between the countries.
"People in both countries want peace and harmony between the two countries and it is the responsibility of politicians to live up to their aspiration," he said.
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